CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Date Due HEJt ni^-m-^ (M 23233 Cornell University Library CS71.M82 M79 History of the More 'amHy, and an accou 3 1924 029 842 923 olin Overs ^"^ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029842923 HISTORY OF THE MORE FAMILY AND AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR REUNION IN IS90 BY DAVID FELLOWS MORE Under the Direction op the Historical Committee WITH A GENJEA.LOGICA.Z, RECOUn BY CHARLES CHURCH MORE BINGHAMTON SAMUEL. P. MORE 1893 U (. k t\M I'lvilVI \{{ , : , CONTENTS Page Introductory, ------ III The Family of More in Scotland, ----- VII Forres, Scotland, - - _ i _ _ xill Elgin, Scotland, ---___ xv Genealogical Charts — John T., 3, - - - - - XVIII Robert, 3, - - - - - - XX Alexander T., 4, - - - - - XXII Jonas, 5, ----- - XXTV" Jean {Smith), 6, - - - - - XXVI James, 7, ----- - XXVIII David, 8, ----- XXIX Edward L., 9, - - - - - - XXX Reunion at Roxbury, 1890 — CSrcialai's, - - - - - - S General Committee Meetings, - - - - 4, 9 Monument Committee Meeting, - - _ _ g Programme Committee Meeting, - - - - 9 Programme, ---___ xO Headqnartei-s More Family Reunion, - - - _ 13 List of Articles on Exhibition, - - _ _ jg Opening Meeting, - - - - - -15 Report of Recording Secretary, Rev. J. H. More, - - 16 Report of Corresponding Secretary, David F. More, - - 17 Report of Monument Committee, - - - - 19 Report of Treasurer, George G. Decker, - - - - 19 Unveiling of Monument, ----- 34 Addi'esses — Welcome, Charles C. More, - - - - 31 Response, Jonas H. More, - - - - - 33 Life and Times of John More, Rev. J. H. More, - - 33 More Family in the Past, Jacob L. More, - - - 35 More Family in the Present, Arthur More, - - - 37 Experiences of our Foremothers, Mrs. S. B. Noi'throp, - - 41 Characteristics of the Mores, Dr. W. M. Decker, - - 45 Characteristics of the Mores, Mrs. D. F. More, - - - 49 What we owe our Ancestors, Samuel P. More, - - 53 The Family Tie, David F. More, - - - - 55 Our Obligations to the Future, John F. Keator, - - 59 Family Association, - - - - - 63, 65 Resolutions, ------ 63 John More Monument Association, - - - - 64 List of those in Attendance, - - - - 381 887 Biographical Sketches — Page Morris Chatmcey Bidwell, 782, - - - - 237 Anna Electa Brasted [Gray), 884, - - - - 253 John Alexander Brewster, 186, - _ _ _ 157 L. Bennett Cochran, 510, - - - - - 100 A. Luzerne Coville, M. D., 453, - - - - 283 Frederick Vernon Coville, 454, _ _ _ _ 284 George Graham Decker, 251, _ _ _ _ 30O William More Decker, M. D., 723, - - - - 210 Prof. Edward Pitch, 938, - - - - 264 John More Foote, 137, - - - - - 94 Harriet Jane Frisbee, 396, _ _ _ _ 330 James Franklin Frisbee, 387, - - _ _ _ 339 Jason Charles Frisbee, 804, - _ _ _ 339 John Wesley Frisbee, 286, ----- 337 Rufus King Frisbee, 383, - - - - 325 Ruth Frisbee (Keator), 297, - - - _ - 230 Anna Gould (Hough), 188, - - - _ 157 George Jay Gould, 635, - - - _ _ i84 Jay Gould, 192, - _ _ _ jgo Orrin Howell, 131, - - _ _ _ 96 James More Hunt, 351, - _ _ _ 353 Bruce Smith Keator, M. D., 817, - - _ _ 343 Charles Gorse Keator, 815, - - _ _ 339 John Frisbee Keator, 816, - _ _ _ 340 Abbey More (Sinclair), 41, - - _ _ ^54 Abigail Church More (Crosby), 152, - - _ _ 135 Abram Gould More, 78, - - _ _ 333 Abram Gould More, 361, - - _ _ _ 353 Addis Emmet More, 235, - _ _ _ jg^ Alexander More, 25, - - _ _ - 105 Alexander Taylor More, 4, - _ _ _ ^^43 Alfred More, 167, - - _ _ - 141 Andrew More, 14, - - _ ' L _ na Andrew More, 82, - _ _ ' _ _ qm Anna More (Sinclair), 76, - - _ _ _ 059 Arthur More, 466, - _ _ _ _ 09 Arthur James More, 233, - - _ _ - 180 Betsey More (Brewster), 31, - - _ _ - 144 Betsey Taylor More (Preston), 47, - _ _ _ -.qa Burr More, 83, - - _ _ _ _ „„„ Charles More, 98, - - _ _ _ „„_ Charles Church More, 150, - _ _ _ - 199 Charles Herbert More, 753, - _ ^ _ - 0-19 Charles Husted More, 446, - _ _ _ _ „q„ Chauncey More, 359, - _ _ _ _ . Daniel D. T. More, 40, _____ TZ Daniel Q. More, 77, _ _ _ _ _ I David More, 8, - _ _ _ _ _ a^s David Fellows More, 32, _ _ _ _ - ini David Fellows More, 153, - _ _ _ _ igfi David Laraway More, 20, _ _ _ _ f David Smith More, 75, _ _ _ _ „ ^ Biographical Sketches— Confmtted Page Duncan G. More, 9, - - - - - 273 Edmund More, 85, - - - - - - 263 Edward A. More, 26, - - - - - 108 Edward Harley More, 38, - - - - - 149 Edward liivingston More, 9, _ _ _ - 367 Edward VanDyke More, 338, - - - - - 181 Egbert More, 143, _____ 98 Eleanor More {Burgess), 95, - - - - - 276 Elizabeth More (Cone), 78, _ _ _ _ 260 Elizabeth More (Keat&r), 87, - - - - - 370 Elizabeth Taylor More (Foote), 16, - - - _ 81 Ezeklel Preston More, 156, - - - - - 133 Prank H. More, 445, - - - - - 382 Fred More, 479, - - _ - - - 100 George More, 468, _____ lOO George Frisbee More, 94, - - - - - 276 George Ogden More, 108, - - _ - _ 88 Gertrude More (Brewster), 43, - - - - - 156 Harriet More (Guild), 84, - - - - - 263 Henry Edmund More, 879, - - - - - 364 Henry Fellows More, 28, - - - - - 111 Henry McKinstry More, 51, - - - - - 194 Hiram More, 49, _____ 193 Hezekiah More, 79, - - - - - - 261 Isaac Van Loan More, 97, - - - - 277 Jacob C. More, 165, - - - - - 139 Jacob Laraway More, 31, - _ - - 84 James More, 7, ----- - 345 James More, 39, _____ jig James Ezekiel More, 365, - - - - - 205 James Henry More, (Rev.) M. D., 336, - - - 249 James M. More, 42, - _ - - - - 155 Jane More (Decker), 48, - - - - - 192 Jane Ann More (Waller), 92, - - - - - 274 Jason Gould More, 80, - - - - - 361 Jay Gould More, 336, - - - - - 181 Jean More (Smith), 6, - - - - - 315 Jesse Benjamin More, 66, - - - - - 346 John More, 1, - - - - - 33 John Benjamin More, 67, - - - - _ 346 John EUiott More, 343, - - - - 353 John Harley More, 33, - - - - - 146 John Laraway More, 10, - - - - - 75 John Osborne More, 74, - - - • - - 358 John Person More, 46, - - - - - 190 John Stanley More, 88, - - - - - 271 John Taylor More, 2, - - - - _ 71 Jonas More, 5, _____ jgg Jonas More, 357, ----- 204 Jonas Hamilton More, 109, - - - - - 89 Jonas Laraway More, 11, - - - - 76 Joseph Harley More, 37, - - - - - 147 Biographical Sketches— Continued Page Liberty Preston More, 241, - - - - 195 Liberty Preston More, 268, - - - - - 205 Lois Ann More (Babeock), 30, - - - - H^ Lydia Smitli More {Gwille), 96, _ - _ - 276- Lyman Alexander More, 170, _ - - - 142 Maxia More (Seacard), 90, - - - - - ^'''^ Mary More (Omild), 32, - - - - - 145 Mary More (Burhans), 53, - - - - ~ 185 Moncellus Leroy More, 229, - - - - 180> Orvis Mann More, 381, - - - - - 24& Otis Preston More, 158, ----- 133. Owen Wickes More, 247, - - - - - 198 Peter Stanley More, 89, - - - - - 372 Richard More, 86, ' - - - - - 370 Robert More, 3, _ - - - - 103 Robert Benjamin More, 69, - - - - - 247 Robert Harley More, 39, - - - - 152 Robert Laraway More, 12, - - - - - 78 Robert Preston More, M. D., 154, - - - - 132 Samuel More, 113, - - - - - 91 Samuel P. More, 124, - - - - - 92 Taylor More, 100, - - - - - 85 Thomas Harley More, 36, _ _ _ _ 147 "Watson Dennis More, 242, - - - - - 196 William More, 27, - - - - - 109 William Chauncey More, 148, _____ 115 William Linus More, 162, - - - - 134 WUliam Wallace More, 44, - , - - - - 156 William Pitt More, 81, - - - - - 361 Wilson Page More, 102, - - - - - 86 Zophar Wickes More, 140, ----- 97 Frank Northrop, 623, - - - - - 183 Reid Northrop, 624, _____ 183 David More Peck, 129, - - - - - 95 John More Peck, 128, ----- 94 Orrin Peck, 531, - - - - - 101 Charles More Preston, 720, - - - _ 207 George Chauncey Preston, 719, - _ _ _ 306 Hamilton Smith Preston, 307, - - _ _ 234 Jonas More Preston, 250, _____ 199 Jonas More Preston, 308, - - - _ 335 Otis Marshall Preston, 306, - - - _ _ 238 Otis Monroe Preston, 248, - - - _ 199 Oliver King Reed, 610, _____ ■^82 Edward More Seacord, 434, - - _ _ 37^ George Washington Seacord, 481, - - _ _ 39]^ James Monroe Seacord, 480, - - - _ 35 j William Benjamin Seacord, 425, - _ - _ 379 Hector Sinclair, 373, _ _ _ _ ^64 George Liberty Shutts, 709, - - _ _ ggg Anna Smith {Frishee), 57, - - _ _ gjg Charles Bruce Smith, M. D., 790, - - - - 237 Biographical SKEicasfi— Continued Chauncey Smith, 323, David More Smith, 60 David Sands Smith, 312, Elizabeth Smith (Keator), 56, EUen Poppino Smith {Allabm), 303, Jane Smith {Frisbee}, 63 John Bruce Smith, M. D., Jonas More Smith, 63, Maria Smith {F)Hsbee), 55, Robert Bruce Smith, 65, Rev. Wilham Henry Smith, Genealogical Record, _ _ _ _ Familt Record, _ _ _ _ Appendix — Letters from George More, Esq., Edinburgh, Scotch Records, _ _ _ _ List of those in Attendance at the Reunion in Roxbury, 1890, Indexes — Index to Descendants of John More with the Surname "More," Index to Descendants of John More with other Surnames. Index to Persons not Descendants, 378, 61 Page - 336 319 - 335 317 - 333 221 - 333 333 - 316 322 - 230 289 - 369 - 373 377 - 381 389-393 393-397 397-409 ILLUSTRATIONS MORBSVILLE, Inverness, Forbes, Rtjins at Elgin, John More Monument, MoBESviLLE Hotel, Fao-Simile Deed, Gould Memorial Chubcih, Residences — Roliert More, Jay Grould, Jonas More, Edward L. More, Map of Roxbury, N. Y., Group Pictures at Reunion, 1890— John T., Robert, - - - Alexander T., - Jonas, - - - Jean (Smith), James, - - - David, Edward L., Portraits — A. Luzerne Coville, M. D., 453, Frederick Vernon Coyille, 434, George Graham Decker, 351, William More Decker, M, D., 733, Prof. Edward Fitch, 938, George Sinclair Fitch, 939, Roderick Pitch, 930, John Wesley Frisbee, 386, Rnfus King Frisbee, 383, Anna Gould (Htmgh), 188, Elizabeth Gould (Palen), 191, - George Jay Gould, 635, Jay Gould, 193, John Frisbee Keator, 816, Abbey More {Sinclair), 41, Frontispiece Facing Page - vir XIII - XV 3; 2» 35 - 184 - 105- 176 - 199. 373; Between Pages- 33-3S 74-75 103-103: 143-143 193-193 316-317 348-249 356-357 368-269 Facing Page - 28S 38S - 300 307 - 153 153 - 153 330 - 335 157 - 157 160 - 160 340 - 14ft VonTRAlT^— Continued. Alexander More, 25, Mrs. Alexander More, Andrew More, 82, Charles More, 93, Charles Church More, 150, Charles Herbert More, 752, Charles Hnsted More, 446, Daniel D. T. More, 40, Daniel Q. More, 77, David More, 8, Mrs. David More, David Fellows More, 153, Edmund More, 85, Edward A. More, 26, Edward Harley More, 38, Mrs. Edward Harlej' More, Edward Livingston More, 9, Elizabeth More {Keator), 87, Elizabeth Taylor More (Foote), 16, Ezekiel Preston More, 156, Fred More, 479, Oeorge Ogden More, 108, Hezekiah More, 79, Irwin D. More, 199, Isaac Van Loan More, Jacob C. More, 165, Jacob Laraway More, James More, 7, Mrs. James More, James EzeMel More, 265, Bev. James Henry More, M. D., Jean More (Smith), 6, ■Jesse Benjamin More, 66, John Benjamin More, 67, Mrs. John Benjamin More, John Osborne More, 74, John Taylor More, 2, Jonas More, 5, Jonas Hamilton More, 109. Joseph Harley More, 37, Liberty Preston More, 241, Xydia Smith More (Coville), 96, liyman Alexander More, 170, Maria More {Seacord}, 90, Otis Preston More, 158, Richard More, 86, Robert Laraway More, 12, Samuel More, 113, Samuel P. More, 124, Taylor More, 100, Watson Dennis More, 242, "William Chauncey More, 148, 97, 21, Facing Page 115 - 115 79 - 370 122 - 212 240 - 153 . 260 - 255 355 - 115 260 - 108 149 - 149 367 - 370 84 - 108 312 88 260 - 157 288 - 134 84 - 345 845 - 246 122 - 215 346 - 246 346 - 260 71 - 189 88 - 149 134- - 283 134 - 370 108 - 370 88 88 93 84 300 rr 115 Portraits— OaftWwM«d. Facing Page WUUam Limis More, 163, _ - - - 134 Zophar Wickes More, 140, - - - - - 84 Orrin Peck, 531, - - - - -108 Charles More Preston, 730, - - - - - 307 George Channcey Preston, 719, - - - - 207 Otis Monroe Preston, 348, - - - - - 307 Oliver King Eeed, 610, - - - - -157 Edward More Seacord, 434, ----- 240 David Smith, _ _ _ - - 315 David More Smith, 60, - - - - - 330 Jane Smith (Frishee), 63, _ _ _ - 330 John Bruce Smith, M. D., 378, - - - - 378 Robert Bruce Smith, 65, - - - - - 332 Rev. WilUam Henry More, 61, - - - - - 330 INTRODUCTORY. AT THE first meeting of the General Committee the collecting of material for, at least, a genealogy of the family was suggested; and at the second meeting, in Roxbury, the Secretary was in- structed to secure genealogical records of all the adult descendants of John and Betty Taylor Moke. Blanks for this purpose were pre- pared and circulated, which were quite generally filled out and returned, and about one hundred persons signified their willingness to subscribe if a history were published. At the Reunion an Historical Committee was appointed, which met soon afterward and decided upon the plan and scope of the work. Sub- Committees were also appointed, consisting of three persons in each of the eight lines, who were requested to aid in securing information con- cerning the members of their line. Circulars were sent to them inform- ing them of their appointment, and urging cooperation. Another cir- cular was issued to all adult members of the clan, asking them to furnish their respective committees with matter concerning themselves and de- ceased relatives. Councils of war rarely win battles, and committees do not always accomplish the task committed to them. A few chairmen and members did excellent service, among whom the following are worthy of special mention : S. P. More, John F. Keator, Mrs. S. B Northrop, Mrs. Eliz- abeth Bouton, Irwin D. More, Edward M. Seacord, Dr. A. L. Coville, Prof. Edward Pitch, Jacob C. More, Greorge B. More, Mrs. Helen M. Smith, and Mrs. Charlotte E. Foote. The Secretary of the Committee takes this opportunity to thank these cousins and others who contributed, for their efficient aid. The Committee is aware that there are members of the family worthy of mention of whom sketches are not presented, which they would gladly have given, but of whom the necessary data could not be secured, either IV. because of undue modesty or personal indifference, or the inattention of relatives. Your Committee feels that it should not be held responsible for such omissions, as all have been urged to send in their contributions of material, and in many instances persons have been repeatedly ap- pealed to, but without response. The genealogy of the family was commenced by John Wesley Frisbee, probably immediately after the death of John More, in 1840, being presented in the form of a family tree, then embracing about two hundred and fifty names. About two years before the Reunion, in 1890, as a step toward such a gathering, an effort was made to complete the family record. Rev. J. H. More, M. D., A. L. Coville, M. D., Mrs. Kate F. McKinley and others contributed their efforts in securing names and addresses; and Miss Nellie Preston, of Roxbury, compiled and wrote the information thus secured. This was placed in the hands of the Secretary of the General Committee, and then of the Historical Com- mittee. Charles C. More, son of the Secretary, took this material, formulated a plan, and pursued with unflagging zeal the securing and compiling of the information, until the record, now containing the names of twelve hundred and sixteen descendants, is very nearly perfect so far as names and dates are concerned ; and we believe we are able to present to the family one of the most complete genealogies ever compiled. The Secretary of the Committee, who has acted as editor of the work, takes this occasion to acknowledge the excellent service rendered by Mrs. D. F. More, who wrote or revised all the biographical sketches and the account of the reunion, and prepared all the manuscript for the press. For the account of the family name in Scotland, the descriptions of Forres and Elgin, and copies of the Scotch Register, we are indebted to our Chairman and his capable wife, who visited that country in 1891, looked upon the places where John More and Betty Taylor lived, and formed the acquaintance of George More, Esq., a solicitor of Edinburgh, through whom the Committee secured the information herein presented. The map of Roxbury, prepared for the purpose of showing the farms owned by members of the family, was made and contributed by Mr. Ar- thur Brown, son of the celebrated artist J. G. Brown, of New York City. The forty places indicated were owned by the fifty-six members of the family whose names are inscribed in the order in which they owned their places, and constituted a fair proportion of the best farming land of the town. We are glad to be able to present a sample of John More's legal writing, of which he did so much during the first thirty-five years after his settlement at Moresville. The engraving of the deed is an exact reproduction of an instrument executed by his son-in-law David Smith to Alexander More, son of Robert, and contains the autographs of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, their son James, and John More. The pen- manship and alignment are certainly excellent for a man seventy-four years of age. Being chided once for taking so much time in preparing a legal document, he replied, "You'll make up the time when you come to read it." The view of Moresville shows a large part of the square mile of land purchased by John More, on which he settled in 1786. The stone wall in the foreground is the northeast boundary of the tract . Your Historical Committee has faithfully endeavored to perform the work committed to it, and they present to the members of the family this book as the result of their efforts. It has been on the part of all con- cerned a labor of love, and the only remuneration sought is the appro- bation of the family, and the consciousness of having aided in handing down to coming generations the record of a family of which any member may be justly pardoned for a feeling of wholesome pride, believing that this history of virtuous and useful lives will help to perpetuate those characteristics of industry, enterprise, and uprightness of purpose and endeavor which have secured for it the position and reputation it has justly merited. Inasmuch as we now have a permanent family organization, your Committee would urge that, for the gathering of information for future editions of family history, and to aid in the holding of future reunions, every member of the family should carefully and promptly report to the Secretary of the Association, David F. More, or his successor, all changes that shall occur: births, deaths, marriages, changes of residence, and facts of permanent interest concerning individuals or the enterprises with which they may be identified. Conveniently arranged books for the preservation of these facts will be provided the Secretary, which will at VI all times be open for examination by any member of the family. A final report of this Committee will be rendered at the family reunion in 1895. The Committee is aware that this book will not be without imper- fections and errors, that inhere in all things human ; but it hopes they may be few and unimportant, and that they may be charitably overlooked by those for whom the work has been prepared. If errors in names, dates or places are discovered, the reader will confer a favor by reporting them to the Secretary. William L. More, Philadelphia, Pa., Chairman. David P. More, Newark, N. J., Secretary. Rev. James H. More, Polo, 111. Samuel W. Marvin, New York City. Roderick H. Smith, New York City. Samuel P. More, Great Bend, Pa. Charles C. More, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. JoHir P. Keator, Philadelphia, Pa. ZoPHAR W. More, Denver, Col. THE FAMILY OF MORE IN SCOTLAND [furnished by henry PATON, historian, through GEORGE MORE, ESQ., OF EDINBURGH.] THERE can be no doubt that the surnames More, Moir, Moor, Moore, Mtjir and Mure, are but variations of one and the same patronymic. The form in which it first appeared in Scotland, and in which it persists for about two centuries, is More. Even those from whom the most considerable families of Muir, such as the Muirs of Rowallan, of Caldwell, and others, claim to be descended, are almost invariably written "More" in the early Scottish registers and charters, save that in Latin writs the name sometimes occurs in the Latinized form of Mora. From a considerable search I have made on the subject my belief is that the More family first came to Scotland from England. In Domesday Book, which contains the result of a survey of England made by William the Conqueror, in 1086, mention is made of the existence in that country of several places of the name of More, particularly in the counties of Devon, Worcester, Hereford and Norfolk. There are also in the early land registers of England, and in many parts of that country, persons of the name of More mentioned, even as far back as the reign of H^nry II., which began in 1216, and some of them held knightly rank, as Sir Henry de la More. This style " de la More " is at first universal, but latterly, towards and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, comes down to plain "More." It suggests that its equivalent is "of the Moor," and some sp render it, color being lent to this view from the fact that certain possessors or tenants of lands called "The Moor," both in Northumberland and in Cumberland, are styled "de la Moor," apparently from their holdings. This was a common method of originating surnames both in Scotland and in England; though if regard be had to the proper signification of the words "de la More," in French, coupled with the assumption of the Saracens' head in the armorial bearings of the Muir family, the inference in this case would be that the ancestors originally came from Morocco, or the country of the Moors. But on the other hand, giving weight to the fact that in these times Norman French was the Court language, and that in which the writs of the Crown ran, the Anglo-Saxon idea of origin— of the Moor — is probably more correct It was in this form " de la More " or " Mora ' ' that the name came to Scotland. In 1213 one Adam de la Mora was sent by King John of Eng- VIII. land to the King of Scotland with a gift of girfalcons. It looks as if he and perhaps some others of his name had then settled in Scotland, for by the end of that century, when Edward the First was dealing with the Scots about the succession to the Scottish Crown, there were a considerable number of "de la Mores," including an Adam de la More, in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. A century later, when the laird of Eowallan gets a confirmation charter of his lands from King Robert the Third, he is designated Sir Adam "More," knight; but it is in the same year, 1391, that the first transmutation of the name takes place into "Mure," in a charter of pension granted to the king's uncle, Andrew Mure, he being a brother of Elizabeth More of Rowallan. After this date the more common spelling of the name is Muir or Mure. The first and perhaps the most eminent of the More family in Scot- land, and he was the first who attained to eminence, was Reginald de la More. He became a great favorite with King Robert Bruce, who em- ployed him in embassies, and gave him a number of very considerable estates in various parts of Scotland, one being that of Abercorn in the County of Linlithgow. He was made Chamberlain of Scotland in 1329, and held that office till his death in 1341. One of his sons was Sir William More of Abercorn, and another was Grilchrist More, the ancestor of the Mures of Caldwell in Renfrewshire. The only connection which the royal family of Scotland had with the Mores was the marriage of Elizabeth More of RowaUan to Robert, the High Steward of Scotland, who afterwards became king as Robert II., on the death of David II. without issue. The word "More" which occurs after such personages as Angus Mor, Fergus Mor, Loarn More, McOallum More, is not at all a surname, for surnames did not exist in Scotland in their day. • In all these and innumerable other cases it is merely a dis- tinctive appellation, "More" being simply the Gaelic adjective, meaning great or big, or the Scotch word ' ' muckle. ' ' The aspirated form ' ' mhoir ' ' is the feminine gender. So in the case of Ben More, Loch More, Glen- more', Strathmore, etc., etc., what is denoted is merely the great mountain, lake, glen and strath. As to what Sir Walter Scott says in his novels, it has always to be kept in mind that he is a romancist of the first water, and is not to be trusted when dealing with the facts of Scottish history. King Duncan was dead about two centuries before Elizabeth More lived. There is no "Clan Mhoir." This is just another instance of the use of the adjective. The Clan Mhic-Gille-Mhoir to which Dr. Brown refers in his History of the Highlands, is explained by Sir Robert Gordon, the contemporary writer whom he is quoting, to be merely a sept or branch or family of the Clan Macleod. IX. As to the family of More or Moir in the northern counties of Scotland, viz. , Inverness, Moray, Banff and Aberdeen, it is possible they may have come from the Lowlands. It is also quite possible, however, that they may have been of Highland origin, and assumed the surname More or Moir from the Gaelic adjective just referred to. Surnames were much later of being adopted in the Highlands than in the Lowlands, and they were by no means general even in the 16th centiiry. But this possibility I merely suggest. In the early part of the 16th century there were persons of the name of More in Strathavon and Strathdee — 1527. [See Eraser's Chiefs of Grant III., pp. 68, 70.] In 1623 and 1632 there were Moirs in the service of the Laird of Grant (or rather at that time, of Frencliie), one of whom, William Moir, was his chamberlain on the estate of Mulben, which lies about halfway between Keith and the lower Craigellachie in Strathspey, [lb. I., p. 274.] But later the family seems to have greatly spread through Strathspey, into the parishes of Moray and Banff, and also Aberdeenshire, for in 1745 there were the Moirs of Stoneywood in the parish of Newhills, and Invernettie, near Peterhead. James Moir of Stoneywood took part in the rebellion of 1745, having the command of the Aberdeen battalion of the forces raised by Lord Lewis Gordon to assist Prince Charlie. In the parish of Mortlich in Banffshire there were some of the name prior to 1660 ; for Gordon, in his edition of Shaw's Moray [Vol. I., pp. 149, 150], refers to a tombstone placed to "ane honest man called Johne Moir, husband to Elspet Reid, who was killed in the defence of his awin hous at the Walk Mill of Balvenie, the 13th day of October, 1660." Tradition, he says, gives Moir the reputation of having been a wealthy man, and of being killed while barricading his door against an attack from Highland caterans. The Forres registers show that some of the family of More were resi- denters there in or before 1690, as in that year (16th February) Agnes, the lawful daughter of John More and Margaret More, in Mondole, was baptized. In Aberlour parish in Strathspey they appear to have been numerous, as when the register opens in 1708 the name is of frequent occurrence, the Christian names of the males being most commonly John, David, William, Alexander, sometimes George, James and Peter ; and of the females. Christian, Margaret, Jean, and Elizabeth. In the parish of Alvie, which comprises part of the district between Grantown and Kingussie, the name Gregor More occurs in 1719, on 17th December, of which year a son William was baptized, to Gregor More in Invermarkie and his wife Janet X. Fraser. And in some of the surrounding parishes the registers of which were glanced at for the purpose, it is evident that the name was in con- siderable force. With regard to the relatives of John More, who married Betty Taylor and went to America, we have the following entries in the Forres Register: 1735, December 22. — John Moir and Isabel Duncan were married. 1739, August 29. — Jean, daughter to John Moir, squarewright in town, and Isabel Duncan his spouse, was baptized. Witnesses : John Mackie and William Paterson, merchants in Forres. 1740, July 31 — Alexander. John More and Isabel Duncan, in town, had a son baptized, called Alexander. Witnesses: Alexander Tulloch, Caillie, and Alexander Bib, merchant in Forres. 1743, April 3. — Margaret. John More, squarewright, and Isabel Duncan, had a daughter baptized, called Margaret. Witnesses : David Bremeder and James Urguhart. 1748, May 12.— Christian, daughter to John More, squarewright, in town, and Isabel Duncan, his spouse, was baptized. [The birth of John in 1745 is not entered in the Forres register ; but there is evidently such a birth lacking, considering the dates of the births of Margaret and Christian, in 1743 and 1748. John More and his wife seem now to have removed to Abernethy parish, as their next children's births are entered in the register of that parish. The registrar, however, has evidently mistaken the christian name of the mother. Culnakyle is near Nethy Bridge.] 1750, January 26. — Isabel, daughterto John More, saw-miller at Culnakyle, and Margaret Duncan, his spouse, was born January 26th, and bap- tized the 28th. Witnesses : James Mitchel, Vintner in Rothemoone and James Grant, Clerk. 1752, March 8-— James, son of John More, saw-miller at Culnakyle, and Margaret Duncan, his spouse, was born March 8th, and baptized 11th. Witnesses : Mr. James Grive at Culnakyle, and James Grant chere. [There is now a gap in this register from 1753 to 1765, so that if David was born after 1753, as is probable, the record of the fact is wanting. Before 1766 John More had removed from Culnakyle to Dell. There are two places of that name not very far from each other, one near Nethy Bridge, and the other further up the Spey, at Inverdruie, and near Rothiemurchus. While he was here his eldest daughter Jean was married. This fact is recorded in the register.] XI. 1766, November 12. — John Terry in the parish of Dyke, and Jean More, daughter of John More, saw-miller in Dell, were this day declared married persons at Dyke, by the minister of that parish, after they were orderly proclaimed and contracted. [In the register of the parish of Dyke, which adjoins Forres, we have the counterpart of this entry and the offspring of the marriage.] 1766, November 13. — John Torrie in this parish, and Jean Moir in the parish of Abernethy, were regularly married, having contracted mat- rimonially on October 22d. 1767, September 26. — Isabel, lawful daughter to John Torrie in Dyke, was baptized. Witnesses: Isabel Duncan in the parish of Abernethy, Isabel Brodie, Thomas Duncan and others in Dyke. [The presence of Isabel Duncan, from Abernethy, confirms the connection, and also proves that the name as given in the Abernethy register, "Margaret," was a mistake. The rest of her grandchildren are as follows :] 1768, December 11. — Janet Torrie was baptized. 1770, April 26. — Robert Torrie was baptized. [Among the witnesses on ■ this occasion were Margaret Moir and Isabel Moir, from Forres. They were probably two of the sisters of the mother Jean Moir.] 1771, December 15. — John Torrie was baptized. [On this occasion John Moir, from the parish of Abernethy, was present.] 1774, December 16. — Isabel Torrie was baptized, one of the witnesses being Isabel Brodie, daughter of Bailie Brodie, in Dyke. 1781, May 25. — Margaret Torrie is baptized, one of the witnesses being David Moir, in Rothiemurchus. [Looking forward a little further in the register of the parish of Dyke, we find what is probably the marriage of Jean Moir' s eldest son Robert, and his family.] 1792, November 17. — Robert Torrie and Elspet (Elizabeth) Clunas, both in the parish of Dyke, were matrimonially contracted, and after pro- clamation of banns were married, on 8th December. 1793, November 2. — Elizabeth, lawful daughter to Robert Torrie and Elspet Clunas in Dyke, was born, and baptized 8th November. Witnesses: Thomas Duncan in Dyke, etc. [probably same as on opposite page]. 1795, October 25.— Anne; baptized. 1797, November 13. — Elspet born; baptized on 16th. 1799, February 14. —Christian born; baptized on 16th. 1803, Katherine born on March 14th; baptized on 19th. 1806, July 17.— Jean born; baptized on 24th. xn. As to the other children of John More and Isabel Duncan there is more uncertainty than in the case of Jean. In 1774 I find an Alexander More married to Janet Macdonald, and living in Tullochgrue, where, on 7th October, their daughter Jean was born, and baptized on the 9th. In 1778 they are living at Rinanuan, which is not far from Dell in the parish of Rothiemurchus, and there their daughter Christian is born, on 24th April of thflt year, the baptism being on the 28th. Jean and Christian are both names in John More's family. Yet all that can presently be said is that this Alexander may be the son of John More and Isabel Duncan. But at this very time there are two or more Alexander Moirs flourishing in Forres, one married in 1773 to Christian Reid, another in 1774 to Christian Grant there, and both having families. Nor can I with any certainty determine from the registers examined as to the marriages or other fate of Jean's sisters, Margaret, Christian and Isabel. And the same remark applies to her brother James. I find a James Moir, a weaver in Forres, who, by his wife Helen Wilson, has a son James, in 1778. He seems afterward to have married Janet Ross and had several children by her; dropping also his trade of weaver for the occupation of a traveling merchant. Then as to David Moir, the brother of John who went to America, we have the fact that a David Moir from ItotMemurchus was present at the baptism of Margaret Torrie, in Dyke, the youngest daughter on record of Jean Moir. This was in 1781, and in 1788 there is a David More and his wife Helen Grant living at Drumcork, and the record of the births of two of their children are in the Rothiemurchus register. Thus : 1788, December. — [register torn] Gregor More, lawful son of David More and Helen Grant, in Drumcork, was baptized by the Rev. Mr. John Grant, Minister of the Gospel at Abernethy, Gregor Grant in Guslich and James McGregor in Drumcork witnesses. 1790, June 28. — John More, lawful son of David More and Helen Grant in Drumcork, born, and baptized by the Rev. Mr. Patrick Grant, min- ister of the gospel at Duthil. Witnesses : John More in Inverdruie, and Mr. Robert McGregor in Dellivorar. » In the former of these entries, the name Gregor is evidently given in honor of Gregor Grant, who is probably the mother's father ; although one naturally recalls here the fact of that Christian name occurring formerly, in 1719. [See page IX hereof.] But would John More in Inver- druie be the paternal grandfather, the husband of Isabel Duncan still on life ? Not in the least improbable, as even to this day there are not a few hale old men in Strathspey of over 80, and even 90 years. XIII. I think there is little doubt that this David is the son of John More and Isabel Duncan, as there is further corroborative proof in the registers. He is said to have afterwards gone to Balnaan or to have lived at Balnaan, near Grantovi^n. There is more than one place called Balnaan, in Strath- spey, but the one near Grantown is Balnaan of Muckrach, on the river Dulnan, about four miles or so from Grantown. In the register of the parish of Inverallan, occur the two following entries : 1838, August 3. — Married at Lynlish, on 3d August, 1838, by the Rev. John Clark, Minister, Peter Moir and Janet Robertson, both in Balnaan of Muckrach. 1838, August 19. — Was born Grigor, son of Peter Moir in Balnaan, and Janet Robertson his spouse. The name of this child, Gregor, at once connects the family in^ Balnaan with that of David in Drumcork. Edinburgh, 15 Myrtle Terrace, Respectfully reported by 28th February, 1893. Hewet Paton. FORRES [The following descriptions of Forres and Elgin, were furnished by Mrs. Wm. L. More, of Philadelphia.^ Forres is one of the four royal burghs. The name is widely known in connection with Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth. The station is on the main line between Perth and Inverness ; also between Inverness and Aberdeen. Forres is about five miles from the shore of Moray Firth, and two miles from Findhorn Bay. The central part of the town stands on an elevated ridge of sand or shingle, supposed to be an ancient sea-beach, but which is now about fifty feet above the level of the sea. According to the last census (1881) Forres contained 4029 inhabitants. There were no less than eleven ways of spelling the name, such as Forries, Foryss, Forrays, Fforres, Fforress, Forrest, etc. With regard to the origin of the name, there are different theories. One, that it is derived from Far-nis, two Celtic words meaning "near the water," as it is sup- posed the Findhorn at one time flowed nearer the town than now. Another, that the word Forres meant force, a "place of strength," as the "Castle" was here, and a place of importance in early times. Accord- ing to Shakespeare, King Duncan visited Forres Castle, but whether this is historically correct is not known. It is certain, however, he was mur- dered in this district, in 1089. XIV. The date of the original charter is not known, or by what King it was granted, as all burgh records and charters were destroyed in a great fire that occurred in the 14th century, but it has been stated Forres was the most ancient of all the northern burghs. The present charter, which constitutes Forres a royal burgh, was granted by King James IV., dated June 28, 1496. The town council is composed of seventeen members, who are elected by the rate payers of the burgh. They hold office for three years. The councilors elect a Provost (Mayor), three Bailies (Aldermen), who are judges in the burgh courts ; a Dean of Guild, a Treasurer, and usual staff of officials. High, the principal street, is broad ; all the others are narrow. All the old houses are built on narrow lanes, running off High street. The theory is, after the fire the people were so much afraid that they built the gables of their houses to the streets, so the tire would not communicate from one to the other. There are quite a number of principal buildings, such as the muni- cipal buildings near the centre of the town, which form a square block, have a handsome clock-tower, and were erected in 1839. The Baptist Church, Mechanics' Institute, Public School, Anderson's Institution, the old Masonic Lodge, one of the oldest houses in Forres, and the Episcopal Church. The Cross stands in High street near the municipal buildings, a fine specimen of Gothic architecture, about forty feet high, resembling Sir Walter Scott's Monument in Edinburgh. The Free Church, Post Office, the Established Church, built within the walls of the old burying ground, erected in 1775, and one of the first Scotch churches to introduce the organ for public worship. The church yard has many quaint old tombstones, but none bearing the name of "More." Castle Hill, at the west end of High street, was supposed to have been crowned at an early date by a royal castle, where King Duff was murdered. The Thomson Monument, a tall granite obelisk above the ruin on Castle Hill. Falconer Museum, built in 1869. The Cherry Hills (at one time called the Cloven Hills), a series of little hills, containing about one hundred acres. The earliest historical notice of these hills is about 1577. Nelson's monument stands on the highest hill, erected in 1806, and is seventy feet high. The Witches' Stone, a roundish stone three or four feet in diameter, is said to mark the graves of the women who were put to death for having bewitched King Duff, in the tenth century. The stone is broken, and clasped with iron. The tradition is, when a witch was in disgrace she had to carry it from one place to another, and while she rode through the air with it 'A O u o H-1 < Q (J o XV. in her apron, the string broke and the stone fell, breaking it in three pieces. May 4th, 1663, Isabel Elder and Isabel Simson were burnt at Forres as witches. About half a mile from Forres is the Sweno Stone, or Forres Pillar, which is twenty-three feet above ground ; measures three feet ten by fifteen at the base. It is of grey sandstone, covered on both sides with elaborate carving. There is little or nothing known of this stone, but it is supposed to commemorate some great event. One authority (Guthrie) declares it to be the most stately monument of its kind in Europe. ELGIN Elgin, about twelve miles from Forres, situated on the river Lassie, has about eight or nine thousand inhabitants. Its industries include three small woolen factories, rope and net- works, a tannery, extensive nurseries, etc. The origin of the name is unsettled; supposed to be derived from Helgy, a Norse G-eneral. As in Forres, there were many ways of spelling the name as Elgyne, Elging, Elgyn, etc. The climate is said to be genial, and this Shire is called the garden of the north. On Lady Hill are the ruins of the old castle built in the 12th century, a favorite resort of the early Scottish Kings, attracted by the climate, and to hunt. It is said the courts were held here by King David I., and William the Lion. The castle is said to have been occupied by Edward I. of England, in 1296 ; after this by the Douglases, Earls of Moray, who were appointed its hereditary constables by King Robert Bruce. The Cathedral at the east end of the town, the most important of all the ruins in Morayshire, was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Scotland, that is, regarding its decorations and its size. The photo shows it, as it stands now. GENEALOGICAL CHARTS XVIII. 3d GENERATION. W O i-s JohnL., 10. Jonas L., 11. Robert L., 13. dOHN T., 2 SON OF clOHN, 1 4th GENERATION. Cornelia (flbioeZi), 99. i 5th GENERATION. Marion (Holden), 458 . , Annie (Annis), 459 More, 460 Edwin B., 461 John M., 463 [Frank, 463 ( Malvina, 464 1.^ John P., 465 ( Ai-thnr, 466 6th GENERATION j Frank H., 1036 ■jBenE., 1037 Taylor, 100. Edwin, 101. Wilson P., 103 ( EUsha, 103 i'Zelen {Smith), 104.. Eleanor, 105 Maria (Bennett), 106. EUza (Greem), 107. George O., 108. Jonas H., 109. Harriet, 110 JohnC, 111. Catharine (Cochran), 113 . Samuel, 113 -Eleanor (Johnston), 114. . . r Jay, 467 George, 468 Clark, 469 Taylor, 470 Cornelia, 471 (Edwin, 472 ( Jesse, 478 S Nancy, 474 1 Marcus, 475 fAnnaG., 476 J Helen K., 477 1 Margaret (Kline), 478 [Fred, 479 ( Roderick H., 480 } WiUard P., 481 'Henrietta, 482 Marion M. (Foster), 483. . Gertrude, 484 JohnW., 485 Julia P., 486 Levi. 487 [Susan, 488 George N., 489 Elizabeth, 490 Amelia M. (Stimson), 491 JohnH., 492 Robert C, 493 Albert, 494 r Robert L., 495 J Edwin H., 496 1 EUie, 497 [Ida, 498 George R., 499 Roberto., 500 Imogene, 501 EmmaF., 502 L. Gertrude, 503 Marion M. , 504 Laura, 505 f Nellie M., 506 John M., 507 Andrew M.. 508 Robert L., 509 Levi B., 510 Katharine M., 511 Gertrude M., 513 i Katherine B., 513 [Ella M., 514 (EdnaB., 1038 ] Donald S., 1039 ( Marion G., 1030 ..PhiUp, 1031 (AlanK., 1033 j Cornelia, 1033 Edwin R., 1034 Luther, 1035 Carleton, 1036 Charles B., 1037 Marion L., 1038 Albert, 1039 ( AnnaM., 1040 ] Eileanor M., 1041 . .Henry G., 1043 XIX. 3cl GENERATION. cJOHM T., 2 SON OF clOMN, '[—Continued 4th GENERATION. 5th GENERATION. Mury (Grant), 13, f Alexander H. , 115 . John T., 116 Robert M., 117 ' Julia A. (Jackson), 515 . Powell M., 516. Mary (Waters), 517. 6th GENERATION. f Alexander G., 1043 J Mary L., 1044 1 James P., 1045 [Fanny M., 1046 fLeeP., 1047 J Mary N., 1048 1 Alexander H., 1049 [Lillian C, 1050 . .Joseph G-., 1051 Cornelia M. (Austin), 118 Jane E. (Merrick), 119 Andrew, 14. James H., 130 Cornelia, 131 Catherine (Be?!7jam), 133. Lewis, 133 Betty, 15 Elizabeth T. (Foote), 16 Samuel P., 134 Agnes (Haner), 135 ( Charlotte E., 136 • j JohnM., 137 f! Jsbne (Peck) (Howell), 17. Samuel, 18 Jacob L., 19 David L., 30 JohnM., 138 David M., 139. o ( Samuel, 130 '' I Orrin, 131 . . f Clarence, 133 Henry E., 133 AdeUneL., 134 James H. , 185 Lizzie (Hadley), 136. Ida, 137 Carrie, 138 Homer M., 139 fZopharW., 140 JohnT., 141 (John C, 518 -^ Joseph H., 519 (Lizzie J., 530 ( Elizabeth, 531 \ Charles M , 533 ( Kate, 533 ( Fred C, 534 ] Harry G., 535 ( Charlotte E., 536 ]MaryE., 537 John, 528 . Edwin, 539 Helen (Sanborn), 530 Orrin, 531 William C, 532 [Janet, 533 Clara J., 534 John S., 535 Walter, 536 Frank M., 537 Eva, 588 Fred, 539 .Florence A., 540 . Homer M. , 541 Jacob L., 31. i 1 i Emily N. (Shepard), 143 [Egbert, 143 ( Frank, 144 3 \ Elizabeth, 145 ( Annie, 146 Jennie, 542 Kittie, 543 ( Arthur H., 544 1-^ Clarence F.,_ 545 ( OUve C, 546 „( JohnT., 547 '^ IMaryE., 548 XX. ROBERT, 3 SON OF cJOMN, 1 3d GENERATION, 4th GENERATION. 5th GENERATION. David F., 23 M. Frances (CrowelT), 147 . .Clifford M., 549 fMaryE., 550 William, 551 f William C, 148 J Cora C, (Keator), 552. . Elizabeth, 23 Lois, 24 Alexander, 25. Edward A., 26. EUaR. {Rose), 553. -Mary, 554 f George C, 719 .... Snsan A. (Preston), 149. Charles C, 150 Catharine H.(Z»ecfcer), 151 I Charles M., 720. ' Susan M. (Marvin), 721 . . A. Augusta (Swart), 722. I William M., 723 6th GENERATION. WilUam C, 1053 Frederic R., 1053 SamuelJ., 1054 Charles A., 1055 f William C. M., 1124 I Charles L., 1125 MaryM., 1126 [Frances E., 1137 f Charlotte, 1138 Susan, 1139 EloiseO., 1130 ^ Jansen H., 1131 f George D., 1132 Alexander B., 1133 Eleanors., 1134 , Samuel W., 1135 ; Howard D., 1136 FredM., 1137 ' Kathrine A., 1138 .Dorothys. S., 1139 Abigail C. (Crosby), 153. ( Ella M., •^Sara A., 556 555 ( Wmiam'c, 557 Alexander, 558 WUUam C, 559 David F., 153 \ Kathryn L. F., 560 Charles C, 561 David H., 563 ' Robert P 154 ■ ■ Isabella S. (Jones), 563 r Edward A., 564 -Kr • T .IT J js w,^t J Jennie E. (Mawhinney), 565 ManaL.(U?i«teTOOod),155 j Hattie M. (Squire), 566 [Otis M., 567 EzekielP., 156. Dolly L. (Wheeler), 157, Otis P., 158. H. Ida, 568 NeUie H. (Sharp), 569 Annie K., 570 EmUy D., 571 Edward A., 573 Catherine, 573 .Bessie G., 574 SaviUe, 575 Hiram, 576 Hattie (Tupper), 577. . . George, 578 Jennie G., 579 I CaroUne H., 580 I Ella K., 581 Laura A., 1056 Florence M., 1057 .George W., 1058 XXI. 3d GENERATION, William, 27. Henry F., 28. James, 29 . ,LoiB A, (Babcock), 30. ROBERT, 3 SON OF cJOHN, ^— Continued 4th GENERATION. 5th GENERATION, James H., 159. f William W., 582. I Annie H., 583 j James P. , 584 1 Charles P., 585... EichardH., 586 [Frederick, 587 r William, 588 6th GENERATION, Sarah A., 1059 William, 1060 Alfred L., 1061 Washington L., 1062 Henry B., 1063 JohnT., 1064 Charles H., 1065 Henry D., 160. SitsanF. (Williams), 161 William L., 162 Louisa A. (Skellie) 163 . . . James C. , 164 . 166. Jacob C, 165. . . Ann E. {Skellie), f Alfred, 167 Edward L., 168 William H., 169 Lyman A., 170 WyllysW., 171 E. Frances, 172 Margaret, 173 Susan, 174 lGeorgeB.,175 rWilUamH., 176 AugustaM. (Orahain),m Susan F., 178 -! JuUa, 179 Julia (Russell), Robert M. 181 Annie L. 182 I Antoinette (Stewart), 589 . I Edwin W., 590 ..KateM., 591 r Ann E. (Merry), 592 Albert H., 593 Henry M., 594 Charles A., 595 Grace, 596 ( Jennette S. (Skellie) 597. ( Monroe C, 598 . .LmieB.,599 ..Jason, 600 .Herbert, 601 Jessie, 1066 Grace, 1067 I Vernon T., 1068 I Ethel, 1069 .Fred A., 1070 .Monroe, 1071 ..Earl, 1072 , .Helen H., 1073 ..Mary, 602 ( 1-1 William H., 603 I 2^ Margaret G., 604 .Annie L., 605 .Augustus, 606 180. Harry R., 607 XXII. 3d GENERATION. 'Betsey (Brewster) 31. . Mary(GoWd), 32. JohnH., 33.... SaUy, 34 Sally, 35 Thomas H., 36 Joseph H., 37. ALEXANDER T., 4 SON OF cJOMN, 1 4th GENERATION, 5th GENERATION, flramC, 608. fMaryM. {Seed}, 183. Christina E. (Graves), 609 Oliver K., 610. Mary A. (Cronkite), 611 . PhebeE., 613 Arthur B., 613 Carrie G., 614 Sarah L., 615 Edward P., 616 6th GENERATION. r Clara G., 1074 J Mary F., 1075 1 Florence, 1076 [Christina E., 1077 Nathan B., 1078 Alice R., 1079 Helen B., 1080 iNelUeB., 1081 ' Carrie A., 1083 .Lillian R., 1083 .Arthur G., 1084 Phebe A. (Choate), 184 ] Emma A. (Yerkes), 617 Elizabeth M. (Frazee), 185. John A., 186 Sara B. (Northrop), 187. Anna (Hough) 188 Nancy, 189 Mary, 190 ' BUzabeth (Palen), 191 . Herman J. , 618 WUlard A., 619. Calvin I., 630 r Howard G., 621. Ida, 633 Frank, 638 Reid, 634 MaryG., 625 Alice, 636 Sanford, 627 Jeannie, 628 William, 639 Anna, 630 CaiTieB., 1085 Philetus, 1086 Claude L., 1087 Moncellus, 1088 Willard J., 1089 Grace A. . 1090 Easter M., 1091 Charlotte E., 1092 Howard R., 1093 Helen M., 1094 Frances G., 1095 ( Murray, 1096 \ AnnaB., 1097 Jay, 193 Elizabeth, 193 Iram B., 194 George G., 195 Thomas, 196 Antoinette (CTarfc), 197. Thomas S., 198 Irwin D., 199 Luanna, 300 AnnaL., 301 Anna, 631 Rufus, 632 Gilbert J., 633 Walter G., 634 George J., 635. Ellen E. (Van Allen), 203. Mary G. (Clark), 203. Edwin, 636 Helen M., 637 Howard, 638 Anna, 639 Frank J., 640 James M., 641 Anna B. (Mahey), 643 Joseph M., 643 Nellie M., 644 Fannie M., 645 ( Marvin J., 646 ■( Ella B., 647 George A. S., 648 Josephine M. , 649 NelUe (Bell), 650 T. Elwyn, 651 , Cassandra, 652 'Minnie M. (King), Irwin D., 654 William M., 655 EmmaC, 656 Joseph A. , 657 fKiagdon, 1098 J Jay, 1099 1 MarjorieG., 1100 L Helen v., 1101 ..Ed^vin, 1103 . Bessie D., 1103 653 XXIII. ALEXANDER T., 4 SON OF ciOHN, y -Continued 3d GENERATION. Edward H., 38. 4th GENERATION. r Francis A., 304 Albert, 305 LumanR., 306 Mary E„ 307 Samuel I., 308 G-eorge B., 309. Robert H., 39. Eleanor, 310 flram B., 311. Edgar B., 313. Daniel D. T., 40 < Mary G. {Letns)( Wmdsor),313 Arthur, 314 Charles B., 315... William P., 316 Annie E., 317 Amaryllis, 318 t Carrie R., 319 Robert H., 320... Abbey (Sinclair), 41 . . Duncan D., 231. i Nancy M. (VanZandt), 233. Alexander M. , 233 Mary G. {Miller), 324 Hector, 335 Elizabeth M. {Wagar), 336. . William M., 337 Susan A. {Roberts), 328 James M., 42. Moncellus L., 329. LaFayette, 330 .. . Clay v., 231 G-ertrudeC. (Brewster), William W., 44 Arthur J., 233... I Clair E., 233 43. Eugene M., 334. 5th GENERATION. ..May, 658 fElwin, 659 1 Susan A. (Simonson), 660 Fannie, 661 LimianR., 662 LuluR., 663 Minnie A. , 664 Nellie M., 665 Edward H., 666 I Francis S., 667 [ElsonB., 668 . Daniel D. T., 669 ( Daniel D. T., 670 ( Lucy B. (Perry), 671 ri Thomas E., 672 I ( Mary B. (Hubbell), 673 1 3 \ Leland, 674 [ ( Ruth, 675 ( Otis S., 676 \ Chester W., 677 / Minnie G., 678 Edward M., 679 Harriet E, (Qorden), 680 Mary A, 681 Robert D., 683 Maud, 683 William H., 684 Roger D., 685 .Kittie A., 686 ..William A, 687 ( Claron S., 688 •^ Abby A., 689 (DuaneH., 690 William M., 691. ■^ George M., 693 ( Charles M., 693 .. Susan L., 694 ..OrloS., 695 ( Walter J., 696 (CeliaR., 697 ..Allison, 698 ethGENERATlON. S. Luman, 1104 R. Bruce, 1105 E. Helen, 1106 .ElvaL., 1107 .Elizabeth, 1108 .Frederick W., 1109 .William R., 1110 'Addis E., 335... JayG., 336 Charles, 337 Edward v., 338. Eugene M., 699 Emma P., 700 Carrol T., 701 Grace O., 703 .EmmaF., 703 XXIV. 3d GENERATION. James P. , 45 John P., 46.. Betsey T. (Preston), 47 Jane (Decker), 48. Hiram, 49. cJONAS, 5 SON OF cJOHN, 4th GENERATION. Jonas R., 239 Deborah P. (Shutts) (Keeler), 240. S. Liberty P., 241 Watson D., 242 Philena A., 243 Addison P., 244. MaryE., 245 5th GENERATION. Charles M., 704. Harriet J. (Sanford), 246. Owen W., 247 O. Monroe, 248. Jonas, 249 J. More, 250 OUve, 705 Caroline, 706 John, 707 W. More, 708 George L., 709 John A., 710 Sarah P., 711 Grace (Rose), 712 John P., 713 George C, 714 MaryE., 715 Harriet J., 716 Betsey, 717 : Watson M., 718... r George C, 719. ^Charles M., 720. ' Snsan M. (Marvin), 721 . George G., 351. Ozias S., 352 Elizabeth (iTiiiore), 353. Madorah, 254 Charity, 355 EnosS., 256 A. Augusts (Swart), 722. William M., 728. .William D., 734.. 6th GENERATION. Mary B., 1111 Elizabeth, 1113 Maggie A., 1113 JohnM., 1114 Laura M., 1115 Jessie, 1116 ( Rozinah(Brezec),lllT I Orrin, 1118 George A., 1119 \ Mary J., 1120 FredG., 1121 ( Watson E., 1132 .^ Bessie L. C, 1123 (Hattie J., 1124 William CM., 1125. Charles L., 1126 1 Mary M., 1137 [Prances E., 1138 f Charlotte, 1139 I Susan, 1130 1 EloiseO., 1131 [jansenH., 1132 f George D., 1133 I Alexanders., 1134 1 Eleanor S.. 1135 [ Samuel W., 1136 ( Howard D., 1137 .^FredM., 1138 (Kathrine A., 1139 ..Dorothys. S., 1140 . .Lauren G., 1141 Jonas, 257 . Eleanor S. (Northrup), 258 Wilson S., 259. J Sarah W. (Sackett), 360. EzraW. S., 361. Bettie J., 363 Mary A. (Dennis), 263. Anna, 264 ( Jonas E., 725 } Enos S., 726 (Florences., 727 ■( Bertha M., 728 Elizabeth J. (Rutherford), Jason C, 730 Don P., 781 Porter U., 733 .MaryO., 738 Clarence, 734 Glenn, 735 Vera, 736 Francis M., 737 Hattie M., 738 Guy A., 739 George W., 740 f Marvin, 741 Nellie A., 743 Charles H., 743 Irving, 744 Arthur E., 745 Cora L. (JMaZior-2/), 746... Arthur M., 747 Thomas E , 748 John W., 749 Bessie E., 750 729 .Arthur D., 1142 XXV. cJONAS, 5 SON OF dOHN, ^— Continued 3d GENERATION. 4th GENERATION. 5th GENERATION, Solomon, 50 James E., 365. Elizabeth, 266 Jonas, 52 f Henry C, 751 J I Charles H., 752.. I Elizabeth J., 753 I George M., 754, . f Carrie E., 755 James Gr., 756 John M., 757 Samuel, 758 Edward C, 759 Henry M., 51 -{ Edward B., 267 Stella M., 760 Prank L.. 761 Liberty P., 268. Emily D., 269 ^ , i Maria D. (LaMreii), 270 , Mary (Burhans), 53. J jonas M., 271 (Edward C, 272 William P., 762. Patrick H., 763 George L., 764 Clyde, 765 Rosa V. D., 766 ( Edward B., 767 (William B., 768 6th GENERATION. Herman D., 1143 James H., 1144 ( Charles H., 1145 I Raymond B., 114ft Bnth F., 1147 Robert L., 1148 Grace R., 1149 XXVI. cJEAN {Smith), 6 DAUGHTER OF dOHN, 1 3d GENERATION. rJohnM., 54. 4th GENERATION. f David, 273 Daniel, 374 Isabella {Leonard), 375. .Lucy A. (Bidwell), 276. 21 Da-sad, 377 J. Bi-uce, 278. P. Whittlesey, 379. Maria (i^sbee), 55. Mary J., 380 fMary D., 381 Benjamin, 383 RufusK, 383.... David S., 284 Palmira, 385 John W., 386..., James F., 287... 5th GENERATION. Johns., 769 Harriet S. (Patterson), 770 George B., 771 Lucy B., 772 Huldah J., 773 Madison D., 774 Ellen R. (France), 775. Ida F., 776 Oscar W., 777 OsmarW., 778 Charles L., 779 William H., 780 Truman S., 781 r Morris C. 783, JohnW., 783... George W., 784 fMary J. (Riley), 785. i Harriet A. (Frayer), 786. . lAIonga v., 787 Effle L. (Carpenter), 788 Annie, 789 C. Bmce, 790 [Fanteleroy B., 791 r William W., 792 Fredericks., 793 Nellie A. (Ackerman), 794. MaudE., 795 Frank P., 796 Ethel M., 797 JarvisB., 798 Irenes., 799 George A., 800 William F., 801 6th GENERATION. IRowenia, 1150 * Leonora, 1151 Georgianna, 1153 EUaL.,115B ( Lulu, 1154 \ Letta, 1155 ( Loy, 1156 fMary S., 1157 Leon J., 1158 Erwin C, 1159 Harry, 1160 (Johns., 1161 '( Charles O., 1162 f Morris C, 1168 J Lucy A., 1164 1 WiUiamB., 1165 [Florae, 1166 f Truman C, 1167 J John N., 1168 1 Frank A., 1169 fCoraD., 1170 Agnes R., 1171 Frank P., 1173 Miles O., 1173 Harriet A., 1174 I Mary A., 1175 .MileyP., 1176 .Irene, 1177 .Harriet E. (More), 288. Elizabeth (Keator), 56. Cornelia A. 289 Jane E. (Burhans), 290. Thomas B., 391 M. Janet (Preston), 393 Clarissa, 293 Eliza E., 294 [Ella C. (Smith), 295 Fred. F., 803 John W., 803. L Jason C, 804 Kate (McKinley), 805 Eugene B., 806 WinfleldS., 807 George L., 808 Helen, 809 Mayhell (Martin), 810 Marie L. (Marsh), 887 George F., 888 Annie, 889 Faith, 890 .0. Pauline, 891 ( MaryB. (Smith) (Barr), 811 I Elizabeth, 812 j Eugene T., 813 ( Sarah L. (Decker), 814 . .Phrocine B., 1178 ( Ethel L., 1179 ( Rufus, 1180 ( Myrtle I., 1181 1 Pearl M., 1183 XXVII. 3d GENERATION. Anna (Frisbee), 57. DAUGHTER OF cJOHN, ^-Co7ltinued 4th GENERATION, 5th GENERATION. Harriet J., 296 Ruth (Keator), 397 ComeHa, 398 Elizabeth M., 399 Sarah M. (Johnston), 300 EUza M. (Washbon), 301, f Charles G., 815. James, 58 ^ Amasa J, , 303 Ellen P. (Allaben), 303 Charles, 304 Eliza M, {Van Dyke) {Robaaher), 305 Otis M,, 306 Cornelia L. (Preston), David M., 60 59 Hamilton S,, 307. WilUam H., 61. Jane (Frisbee), 63. Jonas M. , 308 Edward S., 309 EmmaE,, 310 Anna J., 311 David a, 313 William B., 313 Sarahs., 314 Adalissa C, 315 Harriet M. (Dome), 316. . Charles C, 317 Jane O., 318 Nettie (Kaltenbeck), 319 . Elizabeth (Bouton), 320. Anna (Smith), 331 Ma,j (VanWagner), 833. JohnF., 816 Bruce S., 817 MaryE,, 818 Charles S,, 819 James G,, 830 Ellen P., 831 Henry M., 822 Arthur, 833 Gertrude, 824 Russell, 835 Frederick, 826 r Jane E., 837 Ai-thurW., 838 Wallace B., 839 Cora J., 830 Grace, 831 Charlotte D., 832 Robert A., 833 William H., 834 Charles S., 835 Eliza M. (Moore), 836 Orson M., 837 James R. , 838 John, 839 Ellen C, 840 I Bruce S,, 841 ] Nelhe, 842 (Harry L,, 843 Margaret L., 844 Cornelia L., 845 Maud S., 846 Hattie, 847 Marie M„ 848 ethQENERATION. ( Harry M,, 1183 •^ Annas., 1184 (RuthP,, 1185 ..Rachel, 1186 i Henry R„ 1187 ( Gertrude E,, 1188 .Charles M., 1189 .Nelson J., 1190 ( Bertha P., 849 I Mary E. (Dales), 850, ( Frances E,, 1191 l Helen, 1193 Jonas M. (68), Hannah J,, 64 Robert B,, 65,, Chauncey, 833. Mary J, i Tompkins), 334, Jennette (Lewis), 335 . Addie, 336 ( George, 337 \ Thomas, 338 ( Robert B,, 339 RetaM., 851 Harriet C, 853 May, 853 Maud, 854, Arthur F,, 855 Anna, 856 John F., 857 Helen, 858 f George L., 859 Vernon M., 860 Howard C, 861 Addie D., 863 Raymond E., 868 William H., 864 Lizzie E., 865 Robert B,, 866 fR. Bruce, 867 Jonas M,, 868 Mary D., 869 Blanche, 870 Claude S., 871 (Nellie A,, 873 \ Carrie M„ 873 .George T„ 874 XXVIII. 3cl GENERATION. Jesse B., John B., 67. Patience (Pecft), 68. Bobert B., 69. Alexander, 70 cJMMES, 7 SON OF cJOHN, 1 4th GENERATION. 5th GENERATION, John A.. 330 Mary C. (Golding), 875 Orvis M. Robert M. qqi ( Mary B., 876 °° "I Anna L., 877 qqp i Jesse, 878 ^^ 'I William, 879 Orvis M., 880. -! Clarissa (Oreenman), 333 James W. , 881 Augusta, 334 Adaline (Brasted), 335. James H., 330. Job E., 882 I. Jesse M., 883 Annie E. {dray), S6i.. Fred., 885 Alva J., 886 f Marie L. {Marsh), 887 George F., 888 Annie, 889 Faith, 890 C. Pauline, 891 Kate (Butts), 893 Ellen (Champlin), 337. Emma, 338 . Frances (Stevens), 339. 1 Nathan, 340 John, 341 Annie L. (Dodge), 343. John E., 343 Frederic M., 893.. LEstelle, 894 Eugenie, 895 Stoddard M., 896. 6th GENERATION (QaraB., 1193 \ Orrie M., 1194 ( James G., 1195 Carleton M., 119ft Grace I., 1197 1 Jessie J., 1198 [Ettie M., 1199 j Elton J., 1300 ( Bessie C, 1301 -( Bessie A., 1203 .^Ltiissa A., 120S Allen B., 1304 j JohnC, 1305 jDeUghtB., 1306 . .Delia E., 1307 .Stoddard M., 1208 .Grace E. (Oibboney), 344. Alvah M., 345 Ann E. (Bailey), 346 Janette M. (Bailey), 347. . Helen A. (Chamherlain), 348 . fWilUam M., 349 Charles H., 350 ( Annie L., 897 1 JohnO., 898 i JohnC, 899 '( Stoddard S., 900 i Robert M., 901 - John E., 902 (Marjorie, E., 903 (WiUiam J., 904 - Elizabeth M., 905 (EUjah P., 906 .Marion A., 907 , -WilUe M., 908 Dolly (Hunt), 71. Betty T.(ifMwf), 72. ( James M., 351. iMary E., 352 j Dollie (Bligh), 353. { Emma A., 354 r Alice M. (St. John), 909. 1 Alfred T., 910 I Bessie M., 911 f Bessie, 912 J MoUie, 913 I George H., 914 [Maud, 915 ( Ethel H., 1309 .^ Irving C, 1210 ( Mable, 1311 ..Adelaide D., 13ia .^v.^m.x.^v. DAUID, 8 SON OF clOHN, 1 3d GENERATION. fAbramG., 73 z g /r/^z?,^ /i.//t/ a-c^lct^ '&t^Ai^ xy/i rfi ^ f?^ijyz^ i>^ '^^ t/^rryj^ic: •'A) /^ ,/a^a cl/t-^e^^Ji^ ■/ /%^i/: A^iif Aj^i^^ y-a^'f^ncf f,:>%£if^C2^, cin^ m^ cfa^A z,^/?//?^ ^^f/ •t^u/'Mr/ /^J7^^ /i-Z/^/ a^C'^^^ 1>e^^2^ t^f^-tr?-!^ ^fi^tyz^ i?^ -i^c^ '^•^' ■//i^iz,:>7i-a^ f ^■e^iJl/ /Xe- c/ciy an^ *.«<2^ CJ^Ai^-i^c ^^ri/i^n. / Clrvrrl.^ tAci^^ih Specimen of John More's Legal Writing. 35 Betty Taylor More, a sweet child of four years, from Marlborough on the Hudson, assisted by Richard More the eldest grandson present, pulled the cord which held the encircling flag, enabling it to fall, when the Monu- ment stood forth in all the beauty of its proportions, exposed to the admiring gaze of the surrounding crowd. For a moment there was a hush, a solemn stillness, and then the hiim of voices broke forth in exclamations of admiration and delight. The people then proceeded to the tent, where the "Ladies' Social Society," of the Reformed Church, had spread and garnished tables and prepared a banquet that would do Delmonico credit, for the nearly four hundred cousins who sat down as one family to partake of it. Rev. J. K. Rhinehart was called upon to ask a blessing, and then an hour of delightful, social intercourse was enjoyed, while full justice was done to the savory viands. After dinner the photographing of the family in groups took place, beginning with the eldest, the John T. line, then the Robert, then the next younger, until all were taken . It was decided that the after-dinner talks could be better listened to in the church than in the tent; so the large family proceeded to the church to carry out the last half of the programme . SHORT TALKS ON FAMILY MATTERS The first on the list had been allotted to Jacob L. More, of Camden, N. Y.: his subject, THE MORE FAMILY EST THE PAST But as much of it had been anticipated by Rev. James H. More in his address, we will omit a part of it. He said : Grandfather More was a man about five feet five in height, and was a gray-haired man when I first remember him. He was genial, social, en- tertaining and very good at telling anecdotes of himself and his early life in Scotland. He was a very fine penman, his writing being as plain as any print. He used to write deeds, contracts, etc. for people, and much of his writing may be found in the County Clerk's office of Delaware County.* When he came to my father's to visit when I was a boy, he would write copies for me, always making me a good quill pen, at which he was very expert. He had a smaU, sharp knife, which he carried in a little leather case, and used exclusively for this purpose. * A fae-Bimile of his penmanship is presented in the Deed which may be found on another page. 36 In later years, he and grandmother went to live with Edward More, his youngest son ; and my father, John T., took the homestead and hotel. He would make an annual visit to each of his children, who were all living with their families in the town of Roxbury or thereabout, and would stay a week or ten days with each one. He died at Uncle Edward's, of old age, on Jan. 1, 1840. John Taylor More, my father, was the oldest child, and was born in Scotland. He was married to Cornelia Laraway when quite young, and all his family of ten children, seven boys- and three girls, were born and brought up in the town of Roxbury. Of these, only two are now living, David L. of Jersey City, and myself. We first lived on a farm between Moresville and Roxbury, but afterward took the hotel which grandfather had kept for many years in Moresville, where he also owned a large farm, and many acres of valuable timber land. He was a prominent man in town affairs, and usually a leader in all good works. He served three terms in the State Legislature, in 1807, 1810 and 1814 ; was Supervisor of the town several years, and held other offices of trust. He was a religious man, and a great worker in the church, and held the office of Elder in the Butch Reformed Church for many years. He always went to church early, and we would often find him reading his Bible or singing some hymn. He would sing any meter to the tune of Mear, which was the only tune he could sing, although he was very fond of music. The Minister who came to Moresville to preach, was always a welcome guest at his home. In the time of slavery in New York State, father held two slaves, Nancy commonly called Nan, and her daughter Dorcas, called Dork, who was about my age. I distinctly remember when my father went into the kitchen where Nan was at work, to tell her she was free. She fainted away, and when she recovered said she did not want to leave us; so father told her he would pay her wages, and she stayed for awhile ; but after- ward went to Catskill as cook in a family. She came occasionally to visit us, and once father asked her how she liked her life in Catskill. She said she liked it very well, but she •' would rather live in America." When she was too old and fe<-ble to support herself, she came back to Moresville, and lived in a liitle house of father's, and he supported her until her death. Father lived to a good old age, and died at his own home in Moresville, in 1857. Grandfather, father and my oldest brother John L., were all Post- masters in the village of Moresville a number of years. Father's children were educated in the district schools, which were not very good in those diiys, the main thing required in a teacher being a willingness and ability to whip the scholars, large and small. I was sent 37 to boarding scliool at Blenheim Ridge, and at Greenville, but did not profit much by my advantages, being too full of fun to apply myself to study. Before either of the churches in Moresville were built, we had service in the school-house, and when for any reason this was not done, we went to church at Prattsville, an adjoining town in Greene County, often going on horseback. We worked on the farm, and helped about the hotel. There was plenty of work and excitement, our village being on the turnpike road from Delhi to Catskill, and we entertained the whole traveling public. My brothers and myself belonged to the town militia, and we had rare sport at the trainings, and at general training, which was held once a year in a larger town. This drew as large crowds as do the town fairs of the present day. The girls went to quilting-bees and spinning-bees in the afternoon, the boys came at night to supper, and we danced in the evening. There were apple-bees and husking-bees too. I remember we were dancing one night at an old house in the country, when there was a crowd of us on the floor, the beam under the floor broke, and we all slid into the middle of the room. Nothing daunted, some of the boys went to the cellar, propped up the floor, and we went on with our dancing. Those days seem better to me in some respects than these. There was not so much style, but more of real, hearty enjoyment. The children of rich parentage as well as of poor, were brought up to work, and felt that they were honorable in doing their honest work, despising idleness. The next speaker on family matters was Arthur More, of Deposit, N. Y., whose subject was: THE MORE FAMILY m THE PRESENT He spoke as follows : In selecting me to speak upon the present status of the More Family, your committee have made an exceedingly wise selection ; in fact I think "they builded better than they knew." This, I am aware, is not the usual and customary way of opening an address. The proper thing to do, following all the precedents, would be to say that I regret that some one better qualified was not selected, etc., etc., but this statement is made after mature reflection and great effort. Being a member of the More family, and also a member of the legal profession, I cannot tell a lie, you see ; (this is intended partly as a com- pliment to you. I mention this for fear that you will not so understand it unless your attention is particularly called to it). 38 I know nothing of the More family, generally or particularly, hence the wisdom of the selection; because, were I better informed, with my rigid regard for truth, I might be compelled to say some things that would be unpleasant to you, and as this is a sort of mutual admiration society, without doubt my ignorance is your bliss. I do not know of any of the family now in a State's prison, or in even a common jail, though I must say it has been intimated that some of them ought to be there ; but I feel like giving you all the benefit of the doubt as to that . Some statistics have been furnished me by our Secretary, reports to headquarters from individual members, and information otherwise ob- tained by his diligent efforts. That the family have had the old Scotch reverence for Biblical com- mands, is apparent from the fact that they have replenished the earth, or a goodly part thereof ; and I may add that the present generation seem to have not forgotten this one divine command. From the statistics so furnished me, it appears that there are over seven hundred of our family still in the land of the living ; three hundred and ninety-one are in New York State, eighteen in New Jersey, four in Massachusetts, thirty-eight in Pennsylvania, five in Ohio, one in Indiana, forty-eight in Illinois, eighteen in Iowa, seventeen in Michigan, one in Wisconsin, two in Minnesota, seven in Dakota, sixteen in Colorado, three in Montana, one in Utah, two in Oregon, sixteen in California, two in New Mexico, seventeen in Missouri, thirteen in Kansas, six in Virginia, three in Nebraska, one in Kentucky, and one in the District of Columbia; and this leads to the observation that the present More family, is either a self-reliant family or a family of tramps, which, history and biography saith not; neither is it recorded how many wives this Utah fellow has, and without that knowledge, I suggest that the record may be incomplete. That they are patriotic is manifest from the fact that thirty-one have held one or more civil offices; and I doubt not that there are many more Mores who could have been induced, at great personal sacrifice, to have so served their country. In fact I guess the woods are full of them now: I have positive knowledge of one. It also appears that there are eleven lawyers in the family. It is to be hoped that they, with the two ministers, may "leaven the whole lump," and so make easy the future of the balance of the seven hundred. Rest assured that we eleven, with the assistance of our cousins of the cloth, will do the best we can for you all, but we feel that we have a mighty big contract to fill; but if we fail in part, we will call in the elec- trician to electrocute the rest of you. S9 The statistics also show that nearly all of the present More family have been to school, and some even to college; so that it is probably safe to say that most of them can read and v^rite, and that a few can figure . If you don't believe me, ask some fellow down in Wall street. All this of course is highly gratifying. It also appears (some back counties not yet heard from) that the family is about equally divided as to politics, which demonstrates, again, that the shrewd Scotch, politic blood has not run out. Looking carefully after the main chances where politics are close, there is always a prospect that some will get at the crib, no matter which way the wind blows — if cousin John don't, cousin Jim may : a wise family arrangement, we must all concede. This policy feature is further demonstrated by the fact that in their connection with the different religious organizations they are well divided. Following the reported saying of one of our ancestors, or rather one of the originals, who, as the story goes, was a strong Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed or something of that kind, and was caught drinking and treat- ing at the bar, and being severely reproved for his improper conduct and inconsistency, replied "that he couldn't tell whose hands he might fall into." The details of family history would be neither interesting nor profit- able at this time. It might be said that so many have become subscribers to this memorial, and many other particulars might be given ; but all this would not be within the province of my address, as I conceive it. But, seriously speaking, the record of the family so far as it has been presented to our Secretary, and as it is known to the world, shows that it is a family of whom none need be ashamed, at least. It shows a family not existing or living upon the wealth or fame of ancestors, but upon personal efforts — the grandest of all human ambition — the personal struggles, sacrifices and conquests of those who partici pate . And don't let it be thought for a moment that these sage remarks are intended only for the male members of the family, 'ihey are in general applicable to those of the female persuasion as well. "A perfect woman, nobly planned To warn, to comfort and command," you know. I might speak of the almost phenomenal success of certain members of pur family, but it would be as distasteful to them to listen to it as for me to speak it, and it had better be left unsaid . I would rather say that the present members of the family have been and still are doing their best, in their several vocations and callings, 40 rather than to speak of actual accomplishments, for that would be nearer personal flattery,— something I never knew one with the More blood in his veins to countenance or desire. To my mind, this gathering and the erection of this monument is proof positive that the More family of the present is possessed of one of the greatest of virtues — filial love and respect — due reverence for a worthy ancestry. I don't desire to enlarge upon this thought, for "perhaps it might turn out a sang, perhaps turn out a sermon." I would not wish it said of us that we claim that we are not as other men are, or that we are better than others, for that don't strike my democracy. But I can not help but emphasize this idea, not only for the consid- eration of the present, but of the future generations of the family. The heart-rending picture of old, blind King Lear on the wintry heath, abandoned by his two daughters who had been the recipients of all his bounty, crying out in his agony and despair, "how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child," is by Cordelia's faithful and devoted love for her father — a devotion without the hope of fee or reward — made a thing of warmth and beauty. I remember that when the rough and uncouth miner went to engage a minister to preach Buck Panshaw's funeral sermon, he was careful to inform the divine that he might say of Buck, "that he never shook his mother." Finally, I measure the present condition of the More family by this act, and by this expression of honest, disinterested affection for the an- cestors who begat them, labored and struggled for them. I can wish nothing better to be said of my children when " the sods of the valley cover me" than that, in adversity or prosperity, they re- membered their father. Provided, always, that their father is entitled to their regard. I would have the family coat of arms engraved upon the heart — no- where else — with the motto, " To thine own self be true and thou canst not to any other man be false." This is the sentiment which, it seems to me, attaches to this meeting and reunion of our family. In that light I wish to regard it. Not that certain ones have succeeded, and others failed ; not that certain ones be- longed to this or that profession ; not that certain ones labored with their hands, and others with their brains ; not that some were rich, and some were poor ; not that some were members of this or that church, or that some were members of no church ; not that some were highly educated, and some were not — for, " a man's a man for a' that." 41 I am not a Jeremiati, weeping over the decadence of the hnman family. I do not believe that past generations possessed all the virtues, and the present generation all the vices, or that all virtue and honor died with some past generation. I believe that the present generation of the More family — men and women— have "kept the faith" of manhood and womanhood transmitted to them from honorable ancestors ; and this is all 1 know of "the present" of the family. The next in order was : THE EXPEEIENCES OP OUR FOREMOTHERS By Mrs. Sara B . Northrup, of Camden, New Jersey. I am at a loss to divine why / should have been accorded this high honor, as I regard it— this holy duty — -to speak of our ancestors of the gentler sex — a subject worthy of an abler pen than mine. I am very glad, however, that our "Hon. Programme Committee" did not forget Our Foremothers . We have heard all adown the centuries of the "Pilgrim Fathers," but where were the mothers on that bleak December day 1 Then later on, of the "Revolutionary Fathers," but the mothers, where were theyl True they did not go to the front, they did not stand in the thickest of the battle, but they did refuse to drink the tea that was steeped in Boston Harbor; they did send their sons and husbands; they tilled the soil; reared the children; kept the house and worked and prayed for the army. Even the mother of our own immortal Washington has been left, thus far, to sleep in anunhonored grave; having no share in the gratitude of the nation indebted to her for its leader through all the darkness and perils of war, out into the glorious light of civil and religious liberty — and why 1 Be- cause, forsooth, she was a woman. But with advanced thought, with a keener sense of justice to womanhood, we come today with grateful hearts to honor, perpetuate and wreathe with unfading laurels the memory of the mother of us all — sleeping in the same tomb with her beloved, beneath the Monument erected by their grateful posterity, we rejoice that she will not be forgotten. When we think of the sacrifices she made to give us this home "in the land of the free," language is too poor to express the thoughts that crowd for utterance. It would not be strange, if, at first thought of a home in the New World, there should have been a shrinking of her womanly nature, a prayer even that the cup might pass from her; but "where thou goest I will go" were words not lightly spoken, and with a faith — a sublime faith in God, she rose to the emergency, bade farewell to bonny Scotland and all the loved ones of home and heart, to follow the uncertain fortune of 5 42 him she loved, with no prospect but a log cabin in the wilderness, where the wild Indian still claimed his hunting-grounds — no prospect but a life of toil and privation. Think of her as she watched the receding shores of her native land, knowing full well she should never look upon them again; then the weary, weary weeks tossing and rocking upon the restless ocean, at the mercy of wind and waves, with no ponderous engine to mock their fury — no palatial steamer with its water-tight compartments between her and the depths of the sea; only the Everlasting Arms her security. Can we even imagine a journey across the Atlantic a hundred years ago ? Surely it was no pleasure trip. What joy there must liave been when the port was gained, what gratitude to Grod for His loving care; but they had not yet reached their abiding home, so they journey on to a land of hills and mountains and well- watered valleys — a "place which their children should afterward inherit." The journey from New York, now compassed in a few hours, was tedious beyond description. To reach the sources of the Delaware, a dense forest must be traversed, with only marked trees for a highway; mountain streams must be forded, wild beasts encountered and the un- tamed Indian, more to be feared than they, and all, with no prophetic vision of this day to cheer her on. We can circumnavigate the globe in this year of 1890, without a tithe of the heroism of our foremother in just this little part of her journey. Scarcely was the home begun before the horrors of war frustrated all their cherished plans. Anxiety, suspense, even flight became necessary, but her courage, her faith, her trust in God never forsook her. When Peace again smiled on our land, here she found rest, and here fulfilled her chosen mission— home-making, character-building — until she had seen children's children gather about her, reflecting tliat sainthood of which the world was not worthy; then opened the gates of pearl and she passed through into another country. Ere the gates closed, her mantle fell upon the succeeding generation of our foremothers. There can be no better description of what they were and what they did than Solomon's word-picture of a virtuous woman, They surely sought wool and flax and worked willingly with their hands; they literally rose while it was yet night and gave meat to their households; the hearts of their husbands trusted them, and they did them good all the days of their lives. Born while the echoes of the Revolution still lingered among these de-ar old mountains, their patriotism was intense. They were con- spicuous among the early settlers of this town, so "beautiful for situation," in the advance-guard of civilization, assisting, by approval or disapproval to lay broad and deep the foundations of the social, educational, religious and even political institutions which are our glorious heritage today. 43 They trained their children for usefulness. They instilled into their minds and hearts their own principles of morality and religion which made them prominent men and women of the early part of the nineteenth century. All honor to our Grandmothers. Their memory is like fragrant oil poured forth. And now what shall 1 say of our mothers— ambitious, heroic, self- sacrificing, Christian women ! — always looking forward to something better, something higher for the future. The most perfect mental vision I recall of so many of them, is their gathering together from Sabbath to Sabbath in these churches, and all their children with them, to worship the Lord. They were not slow to see that whatever lessened manual labor, meant more time for mind and heart culture; for recreation and adornment of home. They welcomed any innovation that would make household duties easier and more pleasant. How well do I remember when the cooking-stove, that conservator of nerve and muscle; of woman's temper and woman's complexion, first found its way through these mountain passes. What a curiosity less than three score years ago! Some thought it only a bird of passage, but my mother made hers a kitchen idol ; and the old fireplace, with its huge back-log, its swinging crane, pot-hooks, bake-kettles and ovens, was permitted to retire from the scene of action without even a regret, despite the i)oet's song. No woman ever sighed for the good old times when her face was like coals of fire, and her back like icicles. Our fathers may have missed the comforts of the chimney- corner, the brightness of the great wood fire, and found a more vigorous use of the axe necessary to prepare the fuel (we faintly remember some such objections), but men then were, just like the men now, fond of the works of "culinary art." Our mothers were strategic — they attacked the weak point: made pies, puddings and biscuits in abundance, and soon all difficulties were reconciled, in the onward flight of time, pianos and other musical instruments, easy chairs and comfortable sofas, found way into our homes, and pretty tea-sets "just for company." Neither New York nor Philadelphia, nor even Chicago, with all its boasted pride, could furnish anything as pretty as my mother's tea-set, kept in a cup- board with glass doors— a patent of her own devising. Carriages with calash tops and gentle old nags were a blessing to our mothers -they were so independent — they could go to town whenever they desired, to do the family shopping, not waiting as heretofore for a rainy day or the darkness of night, lest farm work be hindered. Neither necessity nor economy any longer demanded the manufacture of wool or flax ; so the spinning-wheels and looms, with all their para- phernalia, took up their line of march ; not with the cheerful buzzing and humming of other days, but with slow and measured tread ; not into 44 the front hall or parlor, where a few resurrected ones may be found to- day, but into the dust and gloom of the old garret — that shop of antique cariosities. If I were an artist I would sketch you a picture from memory of one of those household treasures so conspicuous in every house fifty years ago, but I fear, however well the work might be done, a label in capitals would be necessary, or some of our younger cousins would conjecture that it was a newly -invented pleasure machine. Whatever would make the song of life a grander poem was welcomed to our homes, and although those of other days might chide us for want- ing to step out into broader fields, and assume greater responsibilities, we are only moving on, led by a guiding Providence, as they were, and with their aggressive spirit left us as a part of our inheritance. The world is moving on, and if we are as wise as our mothers were, we will move on with it. Woman is being rapidly accorded her true place by him who needs her counsels, her courage and her wisdom . Talents, industry and perseverance — not sex — indicate more and more a fitness for higii positions. Evnry department of labor or study is "woman's sphere" now, if she only prove herself a master workman. With her gentleness and motherly tenderness, she is fast becoming our national educator. It is even her privilege in these days to compete with her brother in the hitherto secluded haUs of learning : the result, greater development of mind, and more extended fields for usefulness. Who knows but some who are here to- day — scions from the tree that took root in this virgin soil more than a century ago — may yet be found treading those delightful avenues that lead up to the learned professions. We rejoice in your advantages, for have we not been told from our cradles that "knowledge is power?'' We congratulate you who have come on the stage of action in this latter part of the nineteenth century. Not many decades hence, ability to think and moral courage to act, wiU be our capital. Our brothers, trom necessity if not from a sense of jus- tice, will invite us to enter the council chambers of our nation — not as listeners or petitioners, as woman has so often gone, but as actors in the conflict between right and wrong. With a strong faith in Him who is our leader, like true daughters we will shirk no responsibility, but stand at our post in all our womanly dignity, until with wise and righteous laws executed in the fear of God, we shall help to undermine and over- throw those evils now intrenched in politics, which threaten our national life. Thus shall we bring honor to our foremothers. Thus shall we carry forward the work that fell from their hands, but which will not be completed until this world is given to Christ for His in- heritance. 45 Next came the CHABACTERISTICS OF THE MORES. BY DR. WM. M. DECKER. Mr. Chairman, Strangers, Friends, Kinsmen ; Children and Heirs of the hlood of John More and Betsey Taylor, from the Second unto the Sixth Generation : I salute you, and invite your attention to The Characteristics of THE Posterity of John More and Betsey Taylor, who were the first settlers in Stamford and Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., and whom to- day we meet to honor. Character means an engraven mark, i.e., a mark cut into some mate- rial, usually a hard material in order to give it permanence and durability, and that it may not be easily effaced. Such are the marks on yonder mon- ument, which we dedicate today. Character means not only an engraven mark, but it means a distinc- tive mark, i.e., a peculiar and original mark — unlike all others. Every letter of the English alphabet is a character because it is unlike all the other letters ; and every man is a character in his personality and indi- viduality — in his unlikeness to other men. Character is that in which a person or thing, an individual or a class stands out alone, separate and distinct, unrivaled and unexcelled, like that phenomenal, snow-crowned mountain of Africa, which Stanley dis- covered under the equator ; or like Beethoven, in his exultant and match- less melodies. That which characterizes a person or thing, an individual or a class, may be high or low, good or bad. The microbe of typhoid fever is just as characteristic as Pharaoh in his wickedness, or as Melancthon in his goodness. Grod has stamped everything with a character, from the microbe to the divine Christ. Everything in this world is labeled or marked ; and it is by these marks or characteristics that we know them. Characterization calls forth originality, and originality ends in diversity. All originality centers in God ; and God in nature is everywhere characteristic. The rose is not the lily ; the eagle is not the lark ; the bird is unlike the fish; and man, the crowning work of an unseen hand, is unlike all other creations— he is unique, the climax, the glory of God. A person or thing without a character is a nonentity. Take from the world its characteristics, and at once it would revert to chaos. O the wondrous work and order of the Creator! "The heavens declare the 46 glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." What a glorious revelation of God's wisdom are these never-failing characteristics ! Man does but copy the Creator. Naturalists divide the flora and fauna of the earth into branches, classes, orders, families, according to certain marks or characteristics which the individuals possess in common. What is characteristic of an individual is not characteristic of a class . The further we go from the individual, the broader and more limited be- come the characteristics. Hence it follows : the larger the class, the fewer the characteristics ; and the smaller the class, the more numerous the characteristics. To characterize is not to commonize, but rather to individualize. To characterize a class is to individualize that class ; and to make that individual class distinctive and original. To put it differently : to char- acterize a family is to both commonize and uncommonize that family. It is to commonize the individuals of a family, but to uncommonize the family. To characterize an individual is to be personal ; but to characterize a class of kins-people is to be impersonal. We must generalize rather than particularize ; but to show the trend of the family peculiarities, it will be necessary to occasionally illustrate its outcropping in the individual, the same as the geologist points out the surface rock as evidence of the direc- tion and character of the general mass, which is sub-soil. Peculiar traits will often skip an individual, here and there ; and sometimes they will even skip a generation. The children of a poet are not all poets, any more than the progeny of a trotting-horse are all trotters ; but certain characteristics will bob up serenely from time to time, in glorious effulgence ; and that makes true the adage, "Blood will tell." The blood of the More family is characteristic : 1st, In its mirthfulness. There is a vein of humor, wit and good cheer, which runs through all the ramifications of the More family. The traditional stories told of the seven sons of John More and Betsey Taylor are very amusing; and would indicate that they were more than ordinarily endowed with a genius for merriment. Among their living descendants this characteristic is especially marked in the following persons : Jacob L. More, Dr. James H. More, Samuel P. More, William L. More, J. More Preston, O. M. Preston and family, and many others. 47 It is said of Sir Thomas More, the distinguished author, and Lord Chancellor under Henry the VIII. of England, that his "chief char- acteristic was his unconquerable pleasantry — a quality which did not desert him even upon the scaffold." This fact suggests a possible affinity between John More, our common ancestor, and the illustrious Sir Thomas. The blood of the More family is characteristic : 2d, In its industry, energy, and financial ability. There is not a pauper, or human parasite among us. Our forefathers secured land, cleared it, owned their homes, and were well-to-do, as the expression is ; and their descendants have improved on their record. The financial ability of the More blood has cropped outin prodigious proportions in an allied family. Jay Gould, in executive ability and in financial sagacity and generalship, is the greatest man the world has ever known. The blood of the More family is characteristic : 3d, In its lack of political aspiration. The itch or love for office does not dominate the Mores. What is this but a vindication of their natural modesty ? John T. More and Jonas More, sons of the original John, held office by suffrage of the people. Both held the office of Supervisor, and Member of Assembly; and John T. was elected State Senator ; and it is a significant fact, that in their lines of descent have occurred most of the political outcroppings . Under the line of John T. there cropped out, in the person of Edwin More, the political honor of Judge of Delaware County, N. Y.; and in Jonas H. More, a State office in Illinois. Under the line of Jonas, there cropped out in the person of George G. Decker the honor of Assemblyman of the State of New York. Our kinsman Charles M. Preston, the present incumbent of the office of State Superintendent of Banks, is registered under the line of Robert More, but as he has a double portion of More blood in his veins— which is true of others than the Preston family — his political bent must have been inherited from Jonas. There are still other political outcroppings in the blood; but, as a class, we emphasize the fact that we are not politically inclined, but are loyal to the core. Our war record, while it is not illustrious, was true to the Union. We have a Chaplain in the person of Dr. James H. More ; and many sons of the family were active in the service of the late war. The vote of the More blood is about equally divided between the two great political parties ; but recent family records indicate that the Republicans are in the majority, and the prohibitionists in the minority. 48 4th, Another characteristic of the More blood is, adoration of a supreme spirit— a belief in God, There is not an atheist in our ranks. The majority of our kindred are church members. The Mores were originally Presbyterian; but the family records at the present time in- dicate that Methodism is quite as prominent among our people as Presbyterianism. The love of home and children cannot be said to be a special char- acteristic of the Mores, for that is true of all mankind ; but we are thoroughly domestic, and have multiplied and replenished the earth for the last hundred years to the extent of about eight hundred persons, now living ; and as many more who have departed this life. In a general way we can say, that the blood of the More family is eminently social, hospitable, but not lavish. The members of the family are good livers and free givers. They have the courage of their convic- tions, are not over-merciful, and are slow to forgive and forget. They are proud spirited and independent— not boastful, audacious, nor given to display. The glitter and tinsel of life do not go far with them. They prefer facts and common sense. Among the kindred there is a diversity of gifts^an adaptability that is akin to genius, and a nervous restlessness to activity. We do not rust out, but wear out. The descendants of John More have inherited his migratory nature. Here in Boxbury, thirty years ago, our kins-people numbered two hun- dred and fifty ; and today actual count gives us only forty-three persons of the More blood-bond who still linger among these native hills of our forefathers. W here are they ? Many have gone to their long home, and others are scattered far and wide. Today a kinsman could start at the Atlantic coast and travel to the Pacific, and visit relatives in every State through which he journeyed . Physically, we are long-lived, good looking, of fair complexion, reso- lute step, symmetrical proportions, nervous temperament, and quick to react. There is no hereditary disease that can be said to characterize the family. All in all, we are a very respectable set of people, and can show a good average physical, mental and moral status ; and there is material in us from which to evolve a Moses, Socrates, Milton, Newton or a Csesar. The Creator has not stopped creating ; and as He brought out of the Hebrews the Christ, He will doubtless, in due time, bring out of the More blood a leader or reformer in some of the various fields of life, who shall start a new era in the world's history, and hand down to posterity a name and a fame such as the ages to come will not roll away. 49 Then followed a paper by Mrs. D. P. More, on tlie CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MORES Derived from the Scotch Highlanders To some it may seem a delicate task to speak of the traits which characterize a family, in the midst of the family itself, and I consider it unusual for one to be able to do so honestly without fear of giving offence. I know there are exceptions to all general rules, and the introduction of other blood and of overbalancing powers must have wrought some changes; but my aim is to show what have been the prevailing char- acteristics. There are some traits or developments of character which are not owing to education or to surrounding circumstances or conditions, but are derived by inheritance, and it will be my province this afternoon to show how some of the more prominent or distinguishing features of this family have descended by heredity from the Scotch Highlanders. We notice, first, their inherent love of liberty. Logan, in his history of Scotland, says : "The nature of their country, wild and mountainous, whose natural bulwarks equally prevented intrusion from without, and served as a barrier to free intercourse from within, preserved them for ages a distinct people. Their simple habits led to no wants which their own resources could not supply . Their contact with the sea, as well as their own innumer- able lakes and streams furnished them with abundance of fish, their woods and mountains abounded with game, and their valleys were fertile :" So that there was no necessity for commerce, which is such a mighty power in assimilating nations, but all their habits of life helped to foster a spirit of independence; hence the fact that they successfully resisted, through century after century, the utmost efforts of Rome and of England to subjugate them; and they never were, they never could be conquered until contentions arose among themselves which so weakened their forces that they were finally surprised and overcome, but not until the very year our grandfather was born; he whose lasting memorial, from his native hills, we have today unveiled with grateful hearts . It was this very love of freedom, this unconquerable hatred of oppression which led him to seek this land of strangers, and find his home among these rugged hills, so similar to his own. We find this trait manifested in the family today, in its disposition to direct and control, its readiness to chafe under restraint, and to stub- bornly resist any encroachments upon established rights and privileges. I think all here who have become connected with it in any way, either in 50 family or business relations, will bear witness that I speak the truth when I say that it is a family which cannot submit to dictation, or change its ways to conform to others, but will always seek to dominate and control, be the domain large or small. Prudence forbids illustration, so I will simply state the fact on general principles . Hand-in-hand with this innate love of liberty or, I may say, an element of it, is bravery — valor — for which the Scots were ever famed. Indeed the only two elements of character which in those days were considered worthy themes for the Muse's pen, were heroism and hospitality; and we conclude that England recognizes their superiority in the former, when we are told that her eight regiments of Highlanders are considered the flower of her standing army, and are the Queen's main dependence in all cases of emergency. The Jiospitality of the Highlanders was another distinguishing char- acteristic. Indeed to such an extent was this virtue carried, and so far beyond the means of those who indulged in it, that the Scots' parliament passed a law to repress the practice of idle and dissolute people traversing the country, "encouraged by the inconsiderate hospitality of the natives." The door of Fingal stood open always, and his hall was the strangers' home. It was considered infamous in a man of condition to have the door of his house ever closed, "lest a stranger should come and behold his contracted soul." It is related of one man whose house was situated in a lonely spot, that he would seat himself upon a knoll above his mansion, which commanded a view of the road for a long distance in all directions, and when he would see a traveler approaching, would immediately send word to his "gude wife" to prepare refreshments for a stranger; and if it so happened that he should pass without stopping to partake, he would foEow and try to persuade him to return, in which, if unsuccessful, he would score him roundly, in not very choice epithets and say he was sure he must be a "bad fellow at home." Burns has said, in singing of this lovely trait : "When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er, A time that surely shall come, In Heaven itself I'll ask no more. Than just a Highland welcome." This trait has shown itself in the family in this country, as it has been said that the door of John More's cabin was open to every pioneer, and he was displeased if they did not stop with him. So far as my own observa- tion goes, having been brought up in one of the families of the clan, I can testify that the same spirit was manifested, at least in that household, to such an extent that the neighbors all about us would remark, again and again, that we "might as well keep a hotel;" and I have a vivid recollec- 51 tion of ttie dear master of the house, whose memory is forever sacred in many hearts besides my own, impressing upon us many times his desire that we should always keep abundance in the house to entertain strangers should they happen to come, and never to be without plenty to offer to guests evenings, if any should call. I have no doubt there are many among us today, and I am sure that many more who have forever done with the going and coming of this earthly life, if they could speak, would bear witness with me to the free welcome of that home, and to there having been displayed within its walls the sweet spirit of hospitality, so rare and beautiful that it is called a grace. Surely the same grace must abide in the family still, that it should be possible for such a multitude of cousins who have spread themselves over the face of this broad land, to meet in this little village of hallowed memory for this sacred purpose. The Highlanders were proverbially social, and there was a marked development of this trait in the early days of the family when so many of them dwelt near each other. They almost made a business of visiting in the Winter when there was little work to be done, and perhaps we all have faint remembrances of how they would sit with their apples and cider and talk over old times, telling the same stories over and over, with plenty of time to laugh at the jokes and enjoy the flashes of genuine Scotch wit; for as yet the daily newspaper had not invaded the sanctity of the home, to claim so much of the time of its inmates. Of course as they scattered more, all this became impracticable. In reading Scottish history one becomes impressed with the apparent contradictions of nature. Though so uncouth and rude and simple, they seemed to breathe in a spirit of poetry and music; but from our inability to secure a single poem from a member of the family for this Reunion we conclude that this spirit must have overleaped several generations, and may perhaps appear in future; but the love of dancing, which was another trait, has manifested itself all along the line. We read that in those simple times, after a day of labor the young men and women would walk many miles in the cold and dreary nights of Winter to attend a dancing party, and in its enjoyment would forget their toil and weariness, and appear to be refreshed rather than unfitted for the labors of the following day. One historian says : '* The prevalence of this taste or rather passion for dancing, among a people so deeply tinctured with the spirit and doctrine of Calvin, is one of those contradictions which the philosophic observer so often finds in national character and manners. This delight in dancing is diffused throughout Scotland, and the strongest efforts of the kirk to put it down, with the bitter reproofs of the more rigid Covenanters, have all failed in repressing the ungodly exercise," 52 Long life was another characteristic, or shall I rather say, attainment of Scottish blood. We have anecdotes of men who lived to be from one hundred and eighty all the way down to one hundred, keeping their strength and vigor to the last. It is related of John Grant, who is reputed to be the head of the clan among whom our ancestors resided, tliat at the age of one hundred and ten, on being presented to his Majesty when in Edinburgh, as one who had fought against the royal forces in 1745, when addressing his sovereign he observed that although he might not rank among the oldest friends of his throne, he was entitled to say that he was the last of his enemies. It is a recognized fact that our modern way of living with its laxury and inactivity has had an effect to shorten life ; but something of the former longevity is seen in the family, as we recall that our grandfather lived to be ninety-four, each one of his eight children lived to a good old age, and that twenty -four of the grandchildren are still living, ranging in age from sixty-five to eighty -five years. If there is one element of character more than another which is entitled to be called the crowning characteristic of the Scotch people, it is the deep, fervent, all-pervading spirit of piety, which manifested itself more particularly in the home-life. In the "Cotter's Saturday Night" we have a vivid picture of this spirit, which hallowed all events and re- cognized the hand of God in every relation and condition of life. It is safe to say there is not a country under heaven which has not felt, either directly or remotely, the influence of John Knox and of Scotch Presby- terianism. We have handed down to us a touching incident of our Scotch foremother and of her sustaining faith, when, in those troublous times of danger from savage beasts and the more savage Indians, in putting her little boy to bed would say, "Now, Sandy, say your prayers and go to sleep; God only knows whether ye'll see the light of another morn; but if ye do, Sandy, and live to be a mon, be good, be honest and upright in all your deal, and true to the God who made you." Just how much of this sweet spirit of trust and of fidelity to God has descended as a beautiful mantle to her posterity, human figures can not compute. We can speak of the outward manifestation of it, and say that from the imperfect records we have received, we see that out of one hundred and seventy-five adults reporting, one hundred and seventeen are church members, and a fair pro- portion have held church offices. There is no arithmetic whereby we may reckon how much of this rich legacy has been appropriated by her de- scendants, but we think, as a family, the spirit of simple piety and of devotion to God has been very general. We love to linger in memory on such a heritage as this. The inheritance of the Jews in Canaan was not to be compared with it; and in a deep spirit of gratitude their descendants may each look upon the precious boon and say, with David of old, "Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name." 53 Hon. Charles More Preston followed with a very Interesting talk on "The Characteristics of Allied Families," but as he did not have it written, and it was not taken down, we are unable to reproduce it. Then came the following paper, by Samuel P. More, of Great Bend, Pa. "WHAT WE OWE OUR ANCESTORS." Today's program of exercises gives us an hour for dinner, and ten minutes each for after-dinner addresses. I am glad, for certain reasons — probably the result of good taste — that the order was n ot reversed ; and yet I cannot conceive how any individual can in ten minutes relate "What we owe our Ancestors." When reminiscences of a well-worn slipper are recalled in connection with some youthful indiscretion, it is not difficult now, at the summit of life's journey, to comprehend the situation on those occasions, and realize that what our ancestors owed us were not imaginary obligations but real ones, and that they were promptly and honorably paid — with the aforesaid slipper. Those obligations were liquidated on the instalment plan, and made some last-in g impressions, the debtor class suffering fully as much as the capitalist. Some of the cousins who have preceded me evidently have poor time- pieces, or else they have discovered a system of expanding ten minutes into half-hours. But as no deaths from exhaustion have as yet been reported as occurring among the audience or the speakers, we hope to be pardoned if we follow the expansion precedents. There are many features of life which are common tq all mankind alike ; traits of character which have a similarity, and which become the experience of all. The child can never realize the true value, and place a proper estimate upon the love, worth and guiding care of a parent until he or she has attained to years of discretion and judgment ; and it is a truth, that the older we grow the more do we come to properly appreciate and reverence our ancestors . If parents' lives have been lives of purity and justice, indifferent children will, upon mature reflection, so distinctly perceive the contrast that it will react upon their natures, and the coarseness of those natures and characters will be supplanted by better qualities which have hitherto lain dormant. And as we, on an occasion like this, meditate upon the many admirable traits of character which were so conspicuous in our ancestors, we would indeed be most unworthy children if we were not ennobled and made better every way through reflections such as come to us today. Our ancestors were not coarse, vulgar people, such as we often 54 find in this age, in our new settlements. They were educated and refined, cultured people, who were susceptible of the finest thoughts and emotions of the soul; and how much more our admiration and love should be kindled as we refiect upon the sacrifices they made in leaving their native land, where they were surrounded by all the comforts of life, and all was peace and plenty, and taking upon themselves hardships and pri- vations of which we have no proper conception. But the More family could never have developed in Scotland as they have in America ; if for no other reason, than that there was not enough unoccupied territory in the home of the Scot. I have wondered if our ancestors were not really the originators of the hymn entitled, "Still there's more to follow." Whether they were or not, More followed, and they are here in force, and there is no sta- tistical evidence that any escaped; and while this reunion lasts we will set the words to music. It is a difficult task for a child to solve a question which involves his own existence. It would perhaps be a comparatively easy question to solve, and to realize what we owe our ancestors, if we could live the lives our ancestors lived, realize the privations they endured, and be subjected to the same associations and circumstances which encompassed and sur- rounded them. If it were our lot to bid adieu to this, the land of our nativity, leav- ing all that is dear to us, and embarking upon a vessel propelled only by the untrammeled wind, drift across the almost boundless sea, thousands of miles from the homes of our fathers, and after suffering from the priva- tions and diseases peculiar to such a voyage, finally land upon the shores of a comparatively new and unexplored country, beset on every hand by savages and wild beasts, and there establish a new home by first clearing away the gigantic forests, from which rude log cabins are constructed ; and when we consider the toil involved in clearing enough of the land that sufficient bread may be raised for the little Mores — which were never less ; and when we realize the meagre and homely furnishings of such homes as compared with the rich and comfortably furnished homes of the land of nativity, we may with propriety ask ourselves the question, "What do we owe our ancestors?'' And if later on, when the log house shall have been made serviceable in keeping out the rain and snow, and when the cultivated flowers, guided by the hand of a refined grandmother, shall have begun to twine about the windows and lend a homelike air to the rude habitation, which be- comes a reminder of the "bonny" Scottish home beyond the sea,— even then to be ruthlessly driven from this home into the darkness of night by the Indians, under Brant, while the home with all that the name implies 55 serves only as torch-wood to satiate the envy and hatred of the savage toward the pale face ; and then as in imagination we follow the fugitives as they wend their way, with only marked trees and an unswerving con- fidence in God as their guide, as they seek safety among friends on the banks of the Hudson, we may well be reminded of what we owe our ancestors. And again, as we see the sturdy grandfather take up the musket and, amidst the struggles of the Revolution, do battle for this, our glorious country, well may we pay the tributes which are suggested by this re- union, and remember what we owe our ancestors. " A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." In the eye of God, character stands for almost everything. In the character illumined by the life of John More and Betty Taylor we find much to be grateful for. "As the sins of the father are visited upon the children, even unto the third and fourth generation," so, likewise, are their virtues; and the preponderating evidence is that, as applied to our ancestors, their sins were few and their virtues many. In conclusion : We owe our ancestors for a character which will ever shine as the noonday sun. We owe our ancestors for having lived up to the meaning of the name More. It signifies quantity^ and they did not rear families by the rule of three. Let us abide by the same excellent mathematical plan. We owe them for bodily and mental, vigor which comes from an abstinence from evils which degenerate. Finally : We owe them for that faith in God which, if adhered to as faithfully by us as by our fathers, will secure to us a family reunion in the great beyond, — where (ve shall be reunited for time and eternity. The next in order was : THE FAMILY TIE By David F. More, Newark, N. J. Mine is the chief topic — the heart of all the sentiment of the hour and occasion. I am sure that only a Chauncey Depew could do it justice in an after-dinner talk. It embraces at once the only institution and the whole circle of holy affections that have come down to us from paradise. It has been said that "Home is Heaven's fallen sister." The family is the first — the perpetual, the most potent institution on earth; the family tie the strongest, most universal, most happy bond that blesses our imperfect mortal state. 56 Home, Wife, Husband, Father and Mother, Brother and Sister — seven chief terms — clustering diamonds of our vocabulary — th'e Pilgrims' Pleiades, — shining brightest when earth casts her shadow. We need not fear exaggeration when we speak of the family as an institution; it is the broad base of the pyramid, — all else of the civil structure rests upon it. True the nation is but the aggregation of individuals, and its character the outgrowth of their more prominent and general traits; but after all it is the home influences more than any others that have moulded those in- dividuals and made them what they are. Humanity in its plastic state lies largely in the mother' s hands, and when they have ceased to mould it the clay has received a lasting impress; the plaster is nearly set; and it is the glory of our age that the men who have left their impress upon and made it what it is, have almost, without exception, enjoyed the priceless boon of having had virtuous, intelligent and pious mothers. Home — the home of our childhood and youth. What memories the mere mention of the word awakens. What pictures of the long gone-by scenes are hanging on memory's walls; every line and hue traced with a distinctness entirely its own. We may forget the incidents of yesterday, but the old home scenes will never be erased from the heart' s tablet. When our thoughts turn to those days, how the panorama unfolds before us; every lineament distinct, only perhaps mellowed by the enchantment which distance lends to the view. The house. Father and Mother, present perhaps only now in heart and memory, with a halo about their faces as they come to us waking or in our dreams; the open fireplace with its cheerful blaze; the cluster of robust boys and ruddy, romping girls; the barns with the hidden hens' nests; the capacious hay-mows, a constant resort, empty or full; the patient oxen; the motherly cows and the frisking calves and lambs; the broad green fields teeming with verdure or waving with grain; the smooth, steep, snow-covered hillsides ready for the winter's sport with the home-made hand-sled; the orchard; the early harvest apples so plentiful, at least in my father's orchard; the luscious lunch of the hungry harvesters; the long daily walks with all the host of neighboring children to and from the district school; the jolly sports at noon-time; perhaps the spontaneous act of mischief; the well-remembered face of the honest girl who saw and told of you, and the master who gave you a sound flogging because you wouldn't say you were sorry you had hurt his feelings when, being an honest boy, you did not believe you had ;— but I must drop the curtain on this panorama; there is no end to it. Surely we, who were reared under the shadow of these majestic moun- tains and amid the verdure of these fertile valleys, can claim that we 57 know what the word Home means . Not a contracted city flat, sandwiched in between layers of sordid humanity, in apartments where sunshine is a stranger; nor herding in the huge boarding-house or hotel, stalled as we used to keep our cattle; but in houses bathed in every nook and corner by golden sunbeams, and fanned by vigorous breezes bearing health and hilarity in every breath; drinking refreshment and strength from virgin springs of water, such as we can scarcely find in all the land beside. Home with us was larger than the house; it spread over all the broad acres of our fathers' farms and embraced all the blessings they bestowed. We can also justly boast of the home influences that moulded us while we tarried on the paternal acres. We were reared in an atmosphere charged with the invigorating elements of industry, economy, honesty, truthfulness, and very frequently of genuine piety. If we are not what we ought to be we must blame ourselves for it, and not our home influences. " Home's not merely four square walls, Though with pictures hung and gilded; Home is where aflEection calls, Filled with shrines the heart hath builded." Human life in our family has had its counterpart in nature. These clustered mountain peaks woo the mists of heaven and draw down in pro- fusion the distilling dew and the copious rain, and from their bases pour forth the sparkling springs; but the valleys cannot retain it all; some of it tarries and nourishes plant and tree and flower, but a constant stream flows seaward and cityward, and forms no small part of the famous Hudson, and much of it tumbles amid the waves of New York Harbor and Delaware Bay. So the vitality and energy of this vigorous family in this same mountain region has been vastly too large for the demands of the place, and has followed the streams of water, and is visible today in the activ- ities of many of our principal cities, having extended much farther than the waters, and is found in every leading emporium of the great and growing West. But I must hasten to speak of the family tie. Several strands unite to form this sacred bond. First in order is connubial love, sweet and sacred bond— choicest relic of Eden— divinely instituted by his Creator when he had said of him, "It is not good that man should be alone." Our common ancestor, John More, gave his testimony in writing at the age of 91 years, that he had lived with Betty Taylor in the greatest degree of matrimonial happiness for 53 years; and Alexander T. More, her son, is reported as saying that when they lived in Harpersfield, his mother pined so much for her bonnie Scotland, that when she had put her children 58 to bed she would, to spare her husband's feelings, slip out into the dark woods as far as her fear of the savage Indians would permit her, and there give vent to her sorrow in prayers and tears. From this declaration of the husband and the loving consideration of the wife, we can learn the strength of the pure affection which united their hearts. What was true of John More and his wife has, I believe, been a characteristic of nearly- all the heads of the many households that have sprung fn^m his. Again, parental and filial affections are two other intertwined strands that go to form the tie . These are inborn . It is nothing noteworthy if we have possessed them; it is something shameful if we have been devoid of them. Two other strands that interlock with these are parental au- thority and filial obedience. Finally, fraternal love adds its quota, and all these united form the family tie. Man is pre-eminently a social being, and endowed with affections of wondrous power and compass. Since God is love, and man is made in his image, we must look for a wide and varied exercise of the affections in the family. How beautifully we see them grouped as between husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters — each affection differing in chai-acter and degree, but all inborn and natural, and if properly cultivated, developing as their powers and faculties enlarge, and in their exercise and reciprocation bringing within the sacred precincts of home the largest measure of earthly happiness that can be secured. One class of affections, the fraternal, should and usually does extend beyond our immediate household, especially to those who are akin to us. There is ample evidence at hand to show that this affection has a strong hold in our family. Our well-kept record, preserved so long, carefully and correctly; the liberal response to the call for funds for the monument; the large attend- ance upon this reunion, is conclusive proof of the prevalence and strength of the family tie among us. Shall we not perpetuate and strengthen this tie? We shall lose nothing thereby, and I am sure we shall gain much. To know the men and women who are here today; to be able through life to know of them, where they are and how they prosper, and as opportunity may be offered, to meet and commune with them, I am sure is a privilege in itself enough to make life worth living. In this gathering we are permitted to look into each other's faces, learn of each other's experiences, employments and tastes, and possess in all our coming lives such a knowledge of our kinsmen as we could have secured in no other way. Now if we follow this reunion with a permanent organization; if we publish a worthy history of the family; if as is proposed a permanent record be kept, and all births, marriages, deaths and changes 59 of residence be entered therein and reported annually to all the family, surely we may generally and easily hold the whole clan in our knowledge and our hearts as it shall increase in numbers, and as we believe it will in power and influence throughout the land. As the Creator instituted, so the Redeemer of mankind recognized in many ways and highly honored the family tie, especially when he re- stored to life an only daughter, an only son, and an only brother; and when, with the weight of the world's sins resting upon him, amid the agonies of the cross, he made provision for her who bore him, saying to his mother, "Woman, behold thy son ;" and to his disciple, "Behold thy mother." May his presence be always in all our homes, alike in our joys and sorrows, and his grace grant us all admission into his happy home on high. "Oh happy home where thou art not forgot, Where joy is flowing full and free, Oh happy house where every wound is brought Physician, Comforter, to thee. Until at last earth's day's-work ended, All meet thee in that Heaven above From whence thou earnest, whence thou hast ascended, Thy home of glory and of love." The last of the talks was given by John F. Keator, of Philadelphia, on "OUR OBLIGATION TO THE FUTURE." Friends and Kinsmen : These speeches were to be limited to ten minutes. Imagine, then, my feelings when I, the last on the list of speakers, saw my time coolly absorbed and my ammunition gradually exhausted by my more fortunate predecessors. At this late hour I shall, therefore, be brief. The tribute we have here assembled to pay our ancestry, and espe- cially the scion of our family on our American soil, is well merited. Looking back to the day when John More left his Scottish home, in 1772, and with courageous heart and brawny arm laid the foundation of your future and mine, in the virgin forest of the Empire State, and recounting the years and decades until today, we find much for which to be thankful; naught of which to be ashamed . The pleasing and enviable task of reviewing the civic virtues, brave deeds and noble achievements of the past generation, and aye, even the doings of our family of the present day, has not been assigned to me. Otherwise how would I delight in giving honor to the stout hearts and the unswerving manhood of the first scions of our family, who, daunted by no danger, swerved by no difficulty, built deep and firm the foundation of our house, in the fear of God and in honor to their fellow men, 60 How pleasant it would be to tell, in even simple words, of the doings in times of peace and war, in the different pursuits of life, of those whom we love to remember as our forefathers. How more than pleasant to point out with pardonable pride how, even today, some of the liviffg represent- atives of our family grace the pulpit, adorn the bench, are trusted in high and responsible positions, are known in the realm of industry and finance, and in the marts of the world where ttie English language is spoken. Pleasant indeed, I repeat, it would be to acknowledge and proudly recount past deeds and pay our obligations to our ancestors . But to me has been assigned the duty to speak of "Our OBLiGATioifS to The Future." This at once gives me the role of critic, censor and educator of our- selves. And so, my kind friends who have bestowed this role upon me, you will pardon me if I tell you that I know of no obligations to the future, but deeply feel with you all, how many and how great our duties are to the future. Groethe, the great master of German thought and poetry, tells us : "What you are, you owe to others." Yes, our obligations are to the past, our duty to the future. Our duty to those who come after us is commensurate with the ad- vantages we have, and the achievements handed down to us by those who have gone before, increased and enlarged by our own proper contribution to those achievements. Since John More planted his cabin in these beautiful mountains- then a vast wilderness — what wondrous changes have been wrought ! Our nation's advancement beggars description! During the Kevolution, we are told, "he contended singly and alone with foes before whose formidable front many a valiant hero would have quailed.' ' Coming from the city which was the Cradle of American Liberty, my mind instinctively dwells upon the scenes of those early struggles of our country. There stands old Carpenter's Hall, where the First Conti- nental Congress assembled, and whose walls echoed to the fiery eloquence of Patrick Henry and John Adams. And as I pass through Independence Hall almost daily on the way to my office, never do I look upon its Revo- lutionary relics there collected without my heart being stirred at the thought that in that ancient and revered structure the Second Continental Congress met, and the delegates from these Colonies discussed the great questions upon which hung the destinies of America. I am thrilled when upon that consecrated spot I gaze upon the same grand old bell which one hundred years ago, pealed forth the sound of Liberty, heard around the world. 61 Since those early times when our grandfathers were struggling with the savages, and cutting their way through these forests to civilization, what advances have been made ! The iron horse, then unknown, con- veys the passenger with tireless swiftness across the Continent. Elec- tricity, then undiscovered as to its practical application, has wrought wonders unspeakable. Countless inventions, the product of the brain and brawn of the past and present, have made this the most progressive gen- eration the world has ever known. These marvelous advantages increase our obligations to the past, and add to our duty to the future. The high plain of civilization on which our age and country stand is the result of the work of millions of minds and of thousands of years. Every honest thought, every spark of genius, every true word, every brave deed, every noble sacrifice, — all these have contributed to build the ladder on which humanity has slowly, steadily and surely ascended to an eminence of intelligent thought and action of which our generation boasts, and is justly proud. As nature allows not an atom to be wasted, so I verily believe that nothing in the moral and intellectual life of mankind and of the individual is lost, but bears its fruit — be it for good, be it for evil. Therefore it behooves us, and our duty to the future sternly demands of us that we shall take care not to lower, by any action of ours, the standard of morality and intelligence we have inherited, but to raise it higher and bear it more loftily. No matter what our station in life, what our sphere of action, each of us can honor that station, can ennoble that sphere ; and in this manner, I take it, we fully discharge our duty to the future. And to strengthen us in this, we now have before us the monument of John More, to be a constant reminder to us that a life well spent and duty faithfully performed are blessings to the individual and to those who come after him. When Mr. Keator had finished, the exercises were closed and the people dismissed, — to come together again in the evening, to perfect the organization of a Family Association. The evening brought a goodly number together, mostly masculine members of the family, and a few of the feminines who were not too tired ; and on motion of R. H. Smith, Dr. Jas. H. More was called to the Chair, with David P. More as Secretary. "Rock of Ages" was sung, and the Lord's Prayer repeated in concert. The Committee appointed on Tuesday evening reported, that if mon- ument and lot were owned by a Family Association they would, under the 62 laws of New York State, be subject to taxation, and suggested that an additional Cemetery Association be organized, which could hold it un- taxed. The following resolution was offered : Resolved, That we organize a permanent Association of the descendants of John More and Betty Taylor his wife, for the purpose of caring for the monument and burial-places of our ancestors, perpetuating the tie of HnsMp, continuing the Family Record, and providing for future Reunions. The following plan for permanent organization was adopted, after much discussion ; also the suggestion of the Legal Committee, that a Cemetery Association be formed. PLAN OF ORGANIZATION I. This organization shall be called, "The Association of the Descendants of John and Betty Taylor More." n. All the descendants of John More and Betty Taylor shall be considered members of this Association. III. The objects of the Association shall be : Caring for the Monument and burial places of oiir Ancestors; perpetuating the family tie; publishing a History of the family; continuing the family record ; and providing for future Retmions. rv. The affairs of this Association shall be administered by a permanent committee, consisting of four members chosen from the descendants of each of the eight children of John More. The committee shall have power by vote at any of its regular meetings to fill vacancies in their number, provided always, that each of the eight lines of descent shall be entitled to four members on the committee. This committee shall hold its meetings subject to the call of the President. Eight members present shall constitute a quorum for the trans- action of business. The permanent committee shall elect from their number a Chairman, who shall be President of this Association; a Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. V. The duties of these of&cers respectively shall be such as are usually assigned to such ofBcers, in addition to such as shall be herein imposed, and they shall hold their offices until their successors are elected. The Secretary shall keep the records of the meetings of the permanent committee, a copy of the family record, make such additions thereto as may be required, and report to the members of the Association annually, on the first day of September, by circular or otherwise. The Secretary shall account to the permanent committee for moneys received from members of the Association, by proper vouchers. The Treasurer shall receive and keep account of all moneys belonging to the Association, and pay them out by order of the Secretary, countersigned by the President. He shall report to the executive committee at each meeting. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be an executive committee, three members of which shall constitute a quorum and be quaUfled to perform such duties, and assume such responsibilities as shall be assigned to them by the permanent committee. The executive committee shall be empowered to make any changes in this plan of or- ganization that may be necessary to make it conform to the law of the State of New York. 63 Following are the names selected for permanent committees : JOHN T. ZoPHAK "W. More, Denver, Col. Samuel P. More, Great Bend, Pa. Arthur More, Deposit, N. Y. Roderick H. Smith, New York City. ROBEBT Charles C. More, Ponghkeepsie, N. Y. David F. More, Newark, N. J. William L. More, Philadelphia, Pa. Otis P. More, Roxbury, N. Y. ALEXANDER T. George B. More, Grand Gorge, N. Y. Jay Gould, New York City. Irwin D. More, Franklin, N. Y. Frank Northrop, New York City. JONAS Watson D. More, Catskill, N. Y. Charles H. More, Barre, Vt. George G. Decker, Margaretville, N. Y. Charles M. Preston, Rondout, N. Y. JEAN Otis M. Preston, Roxbury, N. Y. Jonas M. Preston, Delhi, N. Y. Charles Q. Keator, Roxbury, N. Y. Peter W. Smith, Rockland Lake, N. Y. JAMES Rev. James H. More, Polo, HI. John E. More, Grand Rapids, Mich. Orvis M. More, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Stoddard M. Stevens, Rome, N. Y. DAVID William Pitt More, Walton, N. Y. Charles T. Guild, Walton, N. Y. John G. More, Walton, N. Y. Edward Fitch, Clinton, N. Y. EDWARD L. Charles H. More, Chicago, HI. Edward M. Seacord, Cortland, N. Y. Frank H. More, Kearney, Neb. A. Luzerne Coville, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. Before the cousins separated, a committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions, which were unanimously approved and adopted. The resolutions were as follows : Whereas, We, the descendants of John and Betty Taylor More, who went out from this our native valley, east and west, north and south, having now returned, bringing our children with us to enjoy this glad Reimion, Resolved, We esteem it a most pleasant duty to extend our heartfelt thanks to those of our kindred who have remained here and have guarded so sacredly the resting-places of our dear departed ones, and through whose kindness this reunion has been made possible. We trust we shall never forget these delightful associations. Resolved, We extend our grateful thanks to the Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church for the use of their house of worship, which they so kindly offered for our exercises ; also to the people who have so cheerfully opened their homes for our entertainment, or have in any way assisted in the erection of the "More Memorial Monument." 64 Resolved, We are not umnindf ul of the severe labors that have fallen on some of our cousins, especially our most worthy secretaries, and to them and to others who have con- tributed by music, voice or pen to make our reunion a success, we do feel most deeply grateful. Resolved, That a vote of thanks be sent to the officers of the U. & D. R. R. for their kindness, which made our journey more pleasant ; also to the editors of the " Roxbury Times," "Stamford Mirror," and other papers whose columns have contributed to our social enjoy- ment. Resolved, That we now commit the "More Memorial Monument," also the graves of other ancestors, as a sacred trust to the keeping of the "More Family Association," while we return to our different and distant fields of labor, to which God in His providence has appointed us. We shall go with a renewed love for our kindred, and stronger desires to live for some high and noble purpose. May we all so live that when our earthly mission is accomplished and life's fitful dream is over, we may enjoy a blessed reunion in the better land. ( Mes. S. B. Northbop. Committee on Resolutions, -J Jacob C. More. ( Samtibl W. Marvin. While this meeting was being held in the church, the young people of the family were gathering in a vacant room of a large building which had just been completed, and which they had previously secured and deco- rated with flags and Chinese lanterns ; and with the assistance of an orchestra obtained from Kingston, proceeded to hold their reception as per programme, until the wee, sma' hours and the burning out of their candles one by one warned them to depart. As there were no minutes kept of their proceedings we are not able to report. On Thursday morning a meeting was held at the residence of Ozias S. Decker, to incorporate a "Memorial Association" for the ownership and care of the monument and lot. We give below an account of the meeting in the words of the Secretary, as contained in the — CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE JOHN MORE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. We, the undersigned, George G. Decker of MargaretviUe, Del. Co., N.Y., and John G. More of Walton, N.Y., do hereby certify that, on the 4th day of September, 1890, the follow- ing named persons, members and relatives of the More Family, and who are residents of the State of New York, to wit ; Charles C. More, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; George G. Decker MargaretviUe, N. Y. ; Ezekiel P. More, Syracuse, N. Y. ; Stoddard Stevens, Rome, N. Y. E. M. Seacord, Cortland, N.Y. ; R. B. Smith, Cortland, N. Y. ; Otis M. Preston, Roxbury, N.Y. Chas. G. Keator, Roxbury, N.Y. ; Wm. P. More, Walton, N.Y. ; Arthur More, Deposit, N.Y. John G. More, Walton, N. Y. ; Otis P. More, Roxbury, N. Y. ; A. Luzerne CoviUe, Ox- ford, N. Y. ; Roderick H. Smith, New York City ; Charles O. Laymon, Roxbury, N. Y. and Jonas M. Preston, Roxbury, N. Y., met at the house of Ozias Decker in the Village of Roxbury, Del. Co., N. Y., and proceeded to form a "Cemetery Association" pursuant to the Laws of the State of New York in such case made and provided. That the undersigned George G. Decker was duly appointed Chairman, and the under- signed John G. More Secretary of said meeting, by a vote of the majority present. 65 That it was by a majority of the said persons present determined that the name of such corporation should be, " The John More Memorial Association." It was also determined that the number of Trustees to manage the concerns of said Association or Corporation should be nine. The following were duly elected as such Trustees, to wit : Arthur More, Deposit, N. Y. ; Jonas M. Preston, Roxbury, N. Y. ; Otis P. More, Roxbury, N. Y. ; Otis M. Preston, Rox- bury, N.Y. ; Charles G. Keator, Roxbury, N.Y. ; JohnG. More, Walton, N.Y. ; Roderick H. Smith, New York City; Charles O. Laymon, Roxbury, N.Y. ; Stoddard Stevens, Rome, N.Y. ; and they were dnly classified as follows, viz. : For one year — Arthur More, John G. More and Stoddard Stevens. For two years — Otis P. More, Jonas M. Preston and Otis M. Preston. For three years — Charles G. Keator, Charles O. Laymon and Roderick H. Smith. It was further duly determined that the annual election of Trustees shall take place on the first Tuesday of September of each ensuing year : the first election to be held on the first Tuesday ia September, 1891. Dated, September 4th, 1890. George G. Decker, Chairman. John G. More, Secretary. State op New York, ) Delaware County, ) On this fourth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and ninety, before me personally appeared George G. Decker and John G. More, to me known to be the persons who executed the foregoing instrument, as Chairman and Secretary respectively, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same. O. S. Decker, Notary Public. A second meeting was held at the same place, of which the following are the minutes : Roxbury, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1890. At a meeting of the Committee of thirty -two, appointed by the descendants of John More to represent the family, and to continue such fraternal intercourse as had been created by the assembling of the members of the family, the following officers were elected: President, - - - - - C. C. More, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Vice-President, - - - - Otis P. More, Roxbury, N. Y. Secretary, ----- David F. More, Newark, N. J. Treasurer, - - - - G. G. Decker, Margaretville, N. Y. On motion it was resolved that the organization should be called " The Association of the Descendants of John and Betty Taylor More. " It was also decided that a committee consisting of the four officers of the Association named above, take charge of the matter of perfecting said Association, and that to this end they take such steps as to them may seem necessary, including the appointment of thirty-two ladies as auxiliary members thereof. On motion the committee adjourned. Wm. L. More, Secretary pro tem. 8 66 The ladies thus selected are as follows : JOHN T. Mrs. Charlotte E. Foote, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Timothy N. Holden, Aurora, HI. MRS.ELEANORM.JoHNSTON.Poughkeepsie,N.Y. Mrs. Frank Kline, Phoenicia, N. Y. ROBERT. Miss Ella Katherine More, Roxbnry, N. Y. Miss Kathryn L. F. More, Newark, N. J. Mrs. Samuel J. Kbator, Rock Island, lU. Mrs. Nettie Stewart, Silver Creek, N. Y. ALEXANDER T. Miss Carrie R. More, Chicago, m. Miss Helen M. G-ould, New York City. Mrs. Christina Reed Graves, Syracuse, N.Y. MRS.ELizABETHSiNOLAiRWAGAK,Chicago,ni JONAS. Mrs. Maria D. Lauren, Roxbury, N. Y. Mrs. Watson D. More, Catskill, N. Y. Mrs. Edward Burhans, Roxhury, N. Y. Mrs. Samuel "W. Martin, New York Qty. JEAN. Mrs, John F. Keator, Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Burrett B. Bouton, Roxbury, N. Y. MRS. William B. McKinley, Champaign, m. Miss Nellie Preston, Roxbury, N. Y. JAMES. Miss Mary B. More, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Miss EstelleChamplin, Grand Rapids, Mich. Miss Eugenia Stevens, Rome, N. Y. Mrs. Gilbert Bligh, Cortland, N. Y. DAVID. MRS. Chauncy More, Marlborough, N. Y. Miss Mary M. More, New York City. Mrs. Anna H. Kentfield, Morrison, HI. Miss Mary Frances More, Beerston, N.Y. EDWARD L. Mrs. Clara More Ransom, MaysviUe, Mo. Mrs. B. T. Van Alen, Chicago, HI. Mrs. Joseph A. Covillb, Oxford, N. Y. Miss Louise M. Burgess, St. Paul, Minn. On Thursday morning, also, there was a family prayer-meeting held at the church, as the last service. This meeting was led by David P. More. Jacob C. More, George Gr. Decker, David L. More, Liberty P. More and wife, and Owen W. More led in prayer or made remarks. Doubtless there never was another just such gathering as this for a public prayer- meeting, where each one was bound to every other by the strong tie of blood ; and as one after another arose and related his experience, testify- ing to the fidelity of a covenant-making and covenant-keeping Gfod, in all his wanderings and journeyings, sincere emotions were called forth which had not before been touched : especially when one told of how, in that church, over the casket of his loved and loving mother, he had vowed to live for God, and to heed her dying counsels, as he had not heeded her living ones, were the heart's tenderest chords touched. Prayers were requested and offered for the whole family, in all its various conditions and positions, that as they scatter again over the length and breadth of 67 this fair land, they might be kept from the evil that is in the world, and all be one in their Elder Brother, even as He and His Father are one. It was truly a fitting close to the surfeit of enjoyment of the last few days ; and doubtless all felt as they had not before, the blessedness of fellowship — the privilege of children of one Father, heirs of the same immortal destiny, meeting to confer together, and to refresh each other by the way. Each train on Thursday carried away a goodly number of cousins, while a few lingered a little longer to ramble over the beautiful hills and drink in all they could of the pure, invigorating air. They were loth to leave the lovely spot, and to break up the delightful associations of the last few days ; and it was the verdict of each, almost without exception, that it was the " event of a lifetime ;" " something to always look back upon with pleasure;" "food for pleasant thought through a dreary winter," and many kindred expressions. Doubtless there were friend- ships formed and many renewed that will yield comfort and happiness while life lasts ; while the beautiful monument will stand for ages, to show the filial devotion of a widespread clan, so strongly bound by the tie of kinship, so loyal to ancestral blood that they could pause, in the midst of life's hurry and bustle, to give their money and take their time for so reverent and beautiful a deed. Surely it seems as though the blessing of a faithful God, who has said, "Honor thy father and thy mother," must rest upon a family so filial and obedient. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES JOHN TAYLOR MORE. 2. Biographical Sketches JOHN TAYLOR MORE (2), the subject of the following sketch, was born in Rothiemurchus, Inverness Shire, Scotland, February 27, 177L When a lad he came to America with.his parents, John More and Betty- Taylor More. The characteristics of his boyhood are somewhat meagre, owing to the fact that as the oldest child no traditional history of his life at that early period was passed down by younger members of the family. This is known, however : When his parents settled in the wilderness alluded to and minutely described in preceding chapters on the life and times of John More, John T. was an important factor, although his name and the part he bore, though but a child, in those days of privations, suffering and toil, is not mentioned in those chapters. John T. was an energetic, industrious, obedient and affectionate son. In the absence of the father in quest of the necessaries of life at Catskill, the then western line of civilization, we may safely infer that he was one of the main stays of the household. As he grew and developed into young manhood he be- came proficient in woodcraft ; no boy could swing an axe with more tell- ing force, or aim the gun with greater accuracy than he. With the stray bands of settlers and friendly Indians he became almost as familiarly ac- quainted as did his father, who was respected by friends and feared by foes. John T. More's educational advantages were necessarily very limited, yet he improved all offered opportunities, and the knowledge of his father and mother, which was by no means despicable, was to a great extent imbibed by the ambitious boy. He was a deep thinker, and in early life displayed great breadth of mind, as well as that piety and reverential spirit which became so marked in his after life and matured manhood. But his education was largely made up from observation and every-day contact with the different phases of life, as the country was developed and settled. During the war of the Revolution, while his father was doing duty for his country, John T. was helping to maintain and support an ever- growing family whose wants increased as the family grew. Through his contact with the world during this eventful period he acquired a know- ledge of men and circumstances which made indelible and lasting impres- 72 siona. as was evidenced in later years when, in the heat of political strife, he reiterated with emphasis that he had been a Whig since he was five years of age. After the return of his father to Moresville, John T. remained with the family until he developed into manhood. In the meantime he met and became susceptible to the charms of Eleanor Laraway, daughter of Jonas Laraway, and was united in marriage with that estimable lady De- cember 16, 1792. This union was blessed with twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. This large family was reared at Moresville, John T. and his wife during this period conducting the hotel at that place, in connec- tion with the cultivation of a large farm which he had succeeded to from his father. This hotel and place of entertainment became famous through- out the country as one of the best conducted public houses of the age. At the early date of which we write there were no railroads connecting the West with the East, and the Catskill turn-pike was the popular thorough- fare for emigrant and tourist, as well as for those who passed and repassed en route for an eastern market. John T. More became widely known as a large-hearted host, and his many noble traits of character were appre- ciated by all who formed his acquaintance. He always entertained the highest regard for religion and lived what he professed ; the cares of a busy life were never so demanding upon him as to prevent his setting apart a certain time each day for the worship of God, and meditating upon his precepts and teachings, and those who remember him always speak of his wonderful power and fervor in prayer. He was a pillar of the Presby- terian Church, the Church of his choice, and his house was considered the home of clergymen, who were always freely entertained. So deeply was spirituality engrafted upon his nature that in his latter days, when in his dotage or second childhood, when he failed to remember the names of his children and familiar events, he never forgot the hour for family devo- tions and prayer to the God he revered and worshipped. April 2, 1832, his faithful and devoted Christian wife was called to her Maker. She was a noble and beloved woman, respected and revered by neighbors and friends. January 9, 1833, he married Kachael Stewart, a descendant of the historic Scottish family of that name. This amiable and accomplished lady won the respect of the entire family. She died November 25, 1855. Of John T. More's public life a great deal more could be written than can be alluded to in a history which embraces the lives of so many mem- bers, all deserving of recognition. It may be said, without a shade of egotism on the part of his admirers, that he was one of the foremost men of his day and generation. His political associates were composed of the brightest and most prominent statesmen of the age, with whom he was 73 conspicuously popular. He was a strong partisan, and no one could mis- take his political affinities . Yet he was highly esteemed by even his opponents, on account of his honesty and sterling qualities as a man and as a public servant . In the year 1807 he was elected a member of the New York State Assembly. The session lasted from January 27th to April 7th. In the year 1808 he was re-elected Member of Assembly, the session convening January 28th, and continuing until April 11th. In the year 1810 he was again elected to the same office, commencing his duties January 30th, and concluding the same April 6th. He was again chosen to represent his constituency in the same branch of the Legislature in the year 1814. Session commenced January 25th, and adjourned April 15th, — thus serv- ing four distinctive terms as Member of Assembly . He was active as a legislator, and the records show that he occupied no mean place in the estimation of the body with which he affiliated. His voice was always heard in defence of right and justice, and was always in harmony with the progressive spirit of the times. So well did he please the people that in the year 1819 he was tendered the nomination for State Senator, which he accepted, and to which distinguished position he was elected for the term of four years. In 1821 a new constitution was adopted in the State of New York, and the Senate was discharged and a new one elected, and as a result he was a member of that body three instead of four years. November 8th, 1820, he was appointed by the Assembly of the State of New York a mem- ber of the council of appointment, four Senators and the Grovernor of the State constituting that body. This council exercised the power of appoint- ing various State officers of prominence. He was elected Supervisor in Delaware county in the years 1826, 1827 and 1880, and was the first Town Clerk of Roxbury, holding the office until 1809. He also held various offices of a neighborhood character, in all of which he was as vigilant and ]3ainstaking as in more responsible positions, holding the office of Post- master of Moresville for twenty years, succeeding his father John More, and was succeeded by his son John L. More. In his old age his son John L. succeeded him in the hotel, and he retired to an adjoining dwelling in Moresville, where he enjoyed the fruits of a well-spent life, esteemed and beloved by children and friends, neigh- bors and townsmen. He died June 23d, 1857, at the advanced age of 86 years. He had in his possession at death the following autograph letter from his father, which is preserved in his Bible, now in possession of Cornelia More of Newark Yalley, New York : 74 JOHN T. MORE: As I have ever made it a practice of writing to my connections once a year, if I should get debilitated I wish you to write to my brother David More, a farmfer in Balinain, near Gran- town, County of Murray, North Britain, and when I die write to him immediately and request of him to have it put in the Elgin newspapers, in the following words or to that effect : Died in Roxbury, in the County of Delaware, in the State of New York, on the John More, aged . He was bom in "Forres," February 24th, 1745; his father and family moved to Strathspey in 1748, where he was raised and got his education. He was married in Elgin in 1770, to Betty Taylor, a native of Elgin, with whom he lived in the greatest degree of matrimonial happiness for fifty-three years, when she died, in the. eighty -fifth year of her age. They had seven sons and one daughter, who had large families, so that their children, grandchildren and great-grand- children amounted to ninety-six, who were then all in good health. They moved to New York in 1773, and suffered the distress of the "Revolutionary War," wherein he served as a private in the militia. He made and lettered his own tombstone some years before his death. He ever had the good will and esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances, as they ever con- sidered him to be a peaceable, intelligent and useful member of society. Your attention to the above will oblige. John Moke. Roxbury, September 9th, 1837. From the "Christian Intelligencer," the organ of the Dutch Reformed Charch, we quote the following obituary notice : JOHN T. MORE, ESQ., died in Moresville, Delaware County, New York, the 33d day of June last, aged eighty-six years, and it is fitting that a person whose long life was so use- fully spent, and who has occupied so prominent a position in the community in which he resided, should receive more than a passing notice. Esq. More was a native of Scotland, and came to this country with his worthy parents when he was four years old. While his early advantages for obtaining an education were only those that are ordinary in a new country, yet such was the native energy of his mind and his keen and accurate observation of the characters of men, and of the tendencies and results of passing events, that he acquired a fund of knowledge of the most practical and useful character. Though he was fond of reading, and had gathered a large stock of historical facts, which few knew better than himself how to apply in conversation, both for instruction and amusement ; yet the living men, and the various occurrences of his day furnished him with an open book, which he ever read with great accuracy and profit. This made him emphatically a practical man, and so well qualified him to be a judicious adviser, that his counsel was sought, and happily imparted in a multi- tude of instances. He filled many ofllcial positions in his own town and county, was re- peatedly elected to represent his fellow-citizens in both branches of the State Legislature; and always, in the various services imposed upon him, acted with great fidelity. Few men enjoyed more of the respect and confidence of the community. He was a kind, hospitable and Christian gentleman of the old school, and it may truly be said that his house was the clergy- man's home. He was strongly attached to the doctrines and order of the Reformed Dutch Church, of which he was for many years an exemplary member, a judicious and faithful office-holder, and a very liberal supporter. To use an expression of his, droptin conversation many years since, and which I quote from memory: " I love," said he, "the Dutch Chiirch for her conservative character, and because she avoids the extremes of an icy Antinomianism on the one hand, and that great fervor of excitement on the other, which too often, like the foam of the tempest, disappears in the calm." In one word, he was a good man; and having served his generation according to the vnll of God, has fallen asleep ; and it is pleasant to re- flect that his example is a rich legacy to his numerous descendants, which, if duly regarded, wiU be better to them than thousands of gold and silver . ?=<=« HI [j fr- o) S B 01 MS w pt? MtOi-'O^CC-lpSpia^C* : B S 5 3 m O" " o f^M® ^li!'° "-5 1-''° gg.«g?gS3g'so ^ ^ JSSo o MOD QW'p<>W-|>TO5'gtJ) »g?g "KB-'^ !W^: . i-HO TO 1 --^ CD [Zip- K'S O P 75 JOHN LARA WAY MORE (10), the eldest child of the third gen- eration, and son of John T. More and Eleanor Lara way, was born May 11 th, 1793, in Roxbury, N. Y., on the farm now owned by Charles G. Keator, in More Settlement. He attended the district school in the neighborhood along with the children of David, James, Robert and Jean, all of whom resided in the same valley. During the war of 1812, although he was not of the required age for military service, he proposed to take the place of a man in the neighbor- hood who was drafted, and who had a large family dependent on him. He conferred with his mother on the subject, and she said, "go by all means, my son." Thus fortified in his benevolent resolve, he joined the army, was stationed in New York City, and given the office of sergeant. After his return from the war on January 11th, 1816, he married Miss Anna, daughter of Abrani Gould, and began life on a farm adjoining his father's, now owned by Mrs. Dewitt Montgomery. Here his four children were born, the eldest of whom, Cornelia, married Dr. Orrin Day Howell, and is still living in Aurora, Illinois. He resided here until about 1834, when he purchased the Moresville hotel and three hundred acres of farm land of his father. He conducted this hotel about fourteen years, and then sold it and the farm to his son Wilson P. More, and retired to a pleasant cottage in the village, where he resided until his death, May 24th, 1862. At that time the travel through Moresville was immense, and his hotel was one of the most popular on a route that was fairly thronged with public houses. He was a good host, looked carefully after all the details of his business, kept a good table, and his stables were models of neatness and order. This latter was an important item, as the custom consisted largely of farmers en route to and from the Hudson River, who in Spring and Fall, would fairly overflow his accommodations. The propriety of pro- viding guests with intoxicants was scarcely questioned in those days, but he, like his father and grandfather, was extremely careful in the sale of liquors, always endeavoring as far as possible to prevent their abuse. Hence his house was noted for being quiet, orderly and homelike. He was liberal and enterprising, always ready to aid with his means and influence any movement for the improvement of the village. He held the office of Postmaster at Moresville for twenty years, succeeding his father^ who had succeeded his grandfather. He was a decided Christian, and an elder in the Reformed Church in the village. His wife died March 9th, 1828, and he afterwards married Miss Eliz- abeth, daughter of Zopkar Wickes, who survived him eighteen years. 76 JONAS LAEAWAY MORE (11), born December 18th, 1794, in Rox- bury, N. Y., was the second son of John T. More and Eleanor Lara way, and in his youth experienced the vicissitudes of a life in the wilderness. He often delighted his children and grandchildren with stories of his boyish adventures, and no pampered youth of the present day are happier or healthier,in mind, body or estate, than were this family of brothers and sisters with their limited advantages. The great open fire-place, around which they gathered in the evening and roasted apples and chestnuts, while the mothers and sisters mended the jackets, "making the auld amaist as weel as new" or knit long stockings for all the family, or turned the little flax-wheel in the corner while the old Irish schoolmaster told marvellous stories of far-away lands across the sea, were pictures he loved to dwell upon. They had abundant supplies of pork, beef and mutton of their own raising, with venison, poultry and fish, before the speckled trout had been driven from the shady brooks. And such pies as their mother made, four or five kinds at once for special feast days, were never sur- passed. They rose before daylight and began each his or her own stated work. His father having removed to Moresville and built a hotel, they were all kept busy with the farm outside, and the baking, washing, spin- ning, weaving and making garments. On Sunday all were up early, the necessary work dispatched, the horses harnessed to the family wagon, and every one went to meeting, which was a great treat, and not a bore, — as it too often is now-a-days. His schooling was short, and confined mostly to reading, writing and arithmetic, in which he was well informed for those times, being especially fond of reading. Those were days of true labor-unions, neighboring families assisting each other in hurried times, such as hay-making, wood- chopping, moving or raising buildings, apple-parings, quiltings, turning work into play with as much enjoyment as the club meet or the four o'clock tea of today. At all of these bees, as they were called, plenty of good fare was provided, the merriment was unfailing, and the quantity of pies and doughnuts devoured, not to say coffee and cider, was phenomenal. " Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learned to stray; Along the cool, sequestered vale of life They kept the even tenor of their way." At the age of twenty-eight he married Maria Winnea of Cairo, N.Y., a beautiful girl of eighteen, and brought her to Moresville, where he had opened a country store . After two or three years he removed to Hobart Delaware County, and continued the same business in partnership with his 77 brother-in-law, Orrin Foote, where, notwithstanding many losses from broken State banks and defaulting customers, tht^y made a success, adding an iron foundry, and continuing together in business over thirty years. After his daughter's marriage, he and his wife went to Dunkirk, N.Y., to live with her, where his wife died at the age of fifty-five, having been a true helpmate and loving companion. His own health was remarkably good, his habits regular and temperate. In summer he was up at six in the morning working in the garden, and nine o' clock p. m. was his invariable bedtime. His eyesight and memory continued good until he was eighty-five, and then he recalled memories of early life much better than events of more recent date. He was greatly interested in what was going on in the world around him, even when his memory was failing. His little pleasantries continued to the last, and seemed to smooth over many rough places both for himself and others. He enjoyed the society of young people even better than those of his own age. On one of his birthdays, a dinner party was proposed in honor of the occasion, naming over some persons of his age. Oh, said he, I don't want those old fogies ; have some of the boys' friends . He was fond of games, and played them with his grandchildren when nearly ninety years old. He read and believed the Bible, honored the Sabbath, was diligent in business, hated debt, and would not have luxuries or anything that he could not pay for immediately. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he gave that his warmest support. He was a constant reader of the N. Y. Tribune from its first number, which well supplied the lack of earlier education. He died July 30th, 1887, at the age of ninety-three years, having seen most marvellous changes in his country's history, — fourteen States had grown to forty-two, and " the wilderness had blossomed as the rose." He left one child, Mrs. Helen M. Smith, widow of Dr. Henry M. Smith of Dunkirk, N. Y., and two grandsons, Roderick Henry Smith a broker in New York, who has written several books on business subjects, notably among them, "The Science of Business," ''A New Business in Wall Street" and "The Silver Question Settled;" and Willard P. Smith who is practicing law in Buffalo, N. Y., being a graduate of Amherst College and Columbia Law School. 78 EGBERT LARA WAY MORE (13), of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, N. Y., son of John T. More and Eleanor Lara way, was born March 4th, 1797, in More Settlement, Delaware County, N . Y., and died November 3d, 1876, in Durhamville, N. Y. On October 25th, 1818, he married Miss Gertrude Conover, of Blen- heim, Schoharie County, N. Y., and removed to Prattsville in Greene County, where his first five children were born. He then removed to Moresville, where he erected a tannery which he conducted some eight or nine years, and then sold, and removed to Durhamville, Oneida County, where he again erected a tannery, which business he carried on in that place about ten years. He had ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The others all lived to manhood and womanhood, and to fill places of trust and honor in the Church, in society, in business, and in the political world. The eldest daughter Maria More married Mr. Levi Bennett, and resides with her family in Durhamville, N. Y. The second daughter Eliza More married Mr. Nelson Green, and is at present residing in Clyde, Wayne County, N. Y. Another daughter Catharine More married Rev. Andrew Cochran, who was for thirty years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Oneida Castle, N. Y., and in whose memory the "Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church" of Oneida Castle and Sconondoa has since been completed and dedicated. The youngest daughter Eleanor More married Mr. Theodore V. John- ston of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , and resides in that city. The following obituary notice of Mr. More, appeared in a Durham- ville paper of November 10th, 1876 : BEATH OF ROBERT L. MORE. "The ancestors of Mr. More were from Scotland. Coming to this conntry at an early period of its history, they were among the first settlers of Delaware County, N. Y. The place where they settled is still known by the name of Moresville. Of that noble type of men whose character was the outgrowth of the principles of the reformation, they brought their religion and their love of freedom with them to their new homes in the wUdemess. And when the crisis came, they were not only actors btit sufferers in the struggle that resulted in our national independence. Mr. More began the world a farmer, and by his industry and enterprise soon became the proprietor of a fine estate. He next became interested in the leather business, having a large tannery near Moresville, and soon after enlarged his business by the erection of another " tannery in the Village of Durhamville, Oneida County. To this place he removed his family in the winter of 1837. ANDRKW -Mi.iKE. 14. 79 After ten years the vicissitudes of fortune led to a change in his business, and we next find Mm in Norwalk, Conn. , engaged in the construction of a section of the New York and New Haven Railroad from Norwalk to Westport. Having successfully completed this enter- prise, we find him in the year 1849 pleasantly settled in Poughkeepsie, where for twenty -two years he was the manager of a large mining interest, in connection with the iron manufac- turers of that city. In the Spring of 1872 a slight shook of paralysis laid him aside from business. This was the occasion of his removal again to Durham vUle, where three of his daughters reside and with whom he desired to spend the evening of his days. During the four years of his retirement he still spoke of himself "as simply waiting," and he lived in daily and hourly expectation of the summons that was to call him home. That summons at length came. On Friday even- ing, the 3d inst, after six days of severe illness, he departed without a stjniggle, having nearly completed the seventy -ninth year of his age. Thus closed the life of a man whose record in all places where he lived, was that of a Christian and a gentleman. Noble in his personal bearing, he possessed true nobility of character also. His mind was well balanced ; his heart was large ; his address was pleasing. Singularly unselfish and generous to a fault, his life was a beauti- ful illustration of that " Charity that seeketh not her own." An intelligent observer of the times, he was deeply interested in all the great movements of the age . On these his conver- sations often turned, dwelling with special interest on their religious bearings. Most of aU, was he interested in that unseen world of whose mysteries he often spoke, — now to him no longer mysteries. As he felt the springs of life giving way, he remarked to a friend who was standing by, "this is an important hour vnth me." He looked upon an exchange of worlds as a deeply solemn event. But, said he, ' ' I can leave all in the hands of Him who loved me and gave him- self for me." " There were no raptures in his death, but simple child-like confiding trust in Jesus. He was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. " On the Monday following his death, his remains were conveyed to Glenwood Cemetery near Oneida, N. Y., and deposited in the place which he himself had previously selected." Oneida, November 10th, 1876. ANDREW MORE (14), son of John T. More, was born in Moresville, February 8th, 1801. Until he attained his majority he was employed about the large farm managed by his father, attending school during the winter season, where he acquired a fair education in the common branches. When he became of age he left the paternal roof and traveled through the South, finally locating in Mobile, Ala., where he engaged in the mercantile business. He remained at Mobile for about four years, when he disposed of his interests there and returned to Moresville, and married Ann Eliza Hardenbergh, daughter of Col. Lewis Hardenbergh. Later he bought the farm near Prattsville known as the Smedburg farm, where some of his most prosperous and happy days were passed. About this time tanning business was at its height, and with flatter- ing prospects for the future he sold his farm to Mr. John Gr. Smedburg, 80 and, in company with his brothers Robert L., and Samuel, engaged in the tanning and lumbering business, operating a tannery and saw-mill at Moresville, and also a tannery at Durhamville, Oneida County, N.Y. He moved to Oneida County, where he could better superintend the tannery there. The business prospered and the firm was accumulating wealth, when they became involved in a law-suit with the State on account of an infringement of the Erie Canal Board who trespassed upon their rights by taking away the water which supplied the tannery. This suit involved a great expense, and although they won the case, the strain upon their purses was so great as to force them to assign. The assets of the estate paid all outstanding claims, bat they did not resume business. Soon after Andrew moved onto a farm which his wife inherited from her father, located between PrattsvUle and Moresville. He was an ex- cellent farmer and brought his land up to a high state of cultivation. This was sold about 1865, and another tract comprising three hundred and two acres was bought in Kortright, Delaware County, where he resided until the death of his wife, September 22d, 1870, when the estate was divided among the four children. After this he spent his last days resid- ing with his children. His death occurred at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. M. L. Benham, at Newark Valley, N. Y., September 28th, 1877. For many years he occupied the position of Justice of the Peace, and was universally esteemed as a man possessed of a high sense of honor. During his early life in the South he became conversant with the obnoxious features of the institution of slavery and became an earnest abolitionist, and one of his happpiest days was when he saw this evil abolished as a result of the war . He was a man possessed of a jovial, happy disposition, and was a great visitor. His fund of anecdotes and amusing stories, was almost in- exhaustible. In every sense of the word he was "a More," possessing those traits of character which stand out so prominently in the family. Mr. and Mrs. More had five children, one of whom died in infancy. Of the others : Miss Cornelia resides in Newark Valley, N. Y. ; Catherine married Martinus L. Benham, and resides in Newark Valley, N.Y.- Agnes married Dr. George Haner, and resides in Tannersville, NY., where he is practicing his profession ; and Samuel P. resides at Great Bend Pa. 81 ELIZABETH TAYLOR MORE (16), daughter of John T. More and Eleanor Laraway, was born in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., October 30th, 1804. Died November 5th, 1886, in Brooklyn, N. Y. In personal appearance and manners she resembled her grandmother Betty Taylor more than any of the other children or grandchildren, which was a great source of comfort and satisfaction to her grandfather John More. Soon after her birth the family moved to Moresville, Delaware County, N. Y., where she resided until her marriage with Orrin Fdote, of Harpersfield, Delaware County, N. Y., October 18th, 1825, when she removed to the old Foote homestead at Hobart, in the same county. Here her four children were born : Eleanor Elizabeth and Bailey, both of whom died in infancy ; Charlotte Elizabeth and John More, who are living together in Brooklyn, N. Y. The remainder of this sketch is a holy and reverent tribute from a loving daughter, and we give it in her own words : In the year 1852 the family moved to Alexandria, Va., where they resided until the year 1858, when they returned north to Brooklyn, N. Y., where she lived until her death, at the ripe age of eighty-two years and six days. She was a woman of fine personal appearance and commanding pres- ence, with a manner full of charm and kindness ; a devoted wife and mother ; a firm, judicious friend ; a wise counsellor ; and above all, a faithful follower of her Heavenly Father, never doubting for one moment His protecting care and love. She was an invalid for many years, most of the time a prisoner to her room, yet bearing suffering with remarkable fortitude and patience, ever cheerful, keeping the silvery lining of the cloud which surrounded her always in view, and transforming the sick-room into the cheeriest and most attractive in the house. "Mother's room" was the favorite gathering-place for friends and neighbors, where they were always assured of a cordial welcome and cheerful entertainment. The house seemed warmer, and more full of interest and peace here than elsewhere, and her large heart was ever ready to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of others. She always had words of encouragement for the weary ones, and of added hope and cheer for the sanguine. Possessing in large degree the family trait— love of fun and anecdote — there was always a story appropriate to the occasion, many of them, ' ' Grandfather' s stories.' ' ID 82 She was a great lover of books ; they were her constant companions and friends, and kept her mind and thoughts in sympathj'^ with the world about her, thus enabling her spirit to soar beyond the walls of the sick- room, and to live her own spiritual life. I was often leminded of the following lines, written by Madame Guyon during her incarceration in the Bastile : „ My cage confines me round, Abroad I cannot fly ; But, though my wing is closely bound, My heart's at liberty: My prison walls cannot control The flight, the freedom of the soul. Oh ! it is good to soar These bolts and bars above, To Him whose purpose I adore. Whose Providence I love ; And in Thy mighty wiU to find The joy, the freedom of ttie mind." Her old age was beautiful. Day after day she sat calmly waiting for the summons,— a fitting close to such a life ; and we think of her among the redeemed, wearing the crown which must be the reward of her de- voted life. " Thus we keep her memory precious, While we never cease to pray That at last, when lengthening shadows Mark the evening of our day. They may find us waiting calmly To go home our mother's way." DAVID LARA WAY MORE (20), of Jersey City, New Jersey, son of John T. More and Eleanor Laraway, was born in Moresville, Delaware County, New York, June 13th, 1814. This little village of the town of Roxbury had not yet been named at that time, but was afterwards desig- nated thus in honor of John More, who owned a mile square at this place. He was baptized in infancy by Rev. Abner Benedict, who was a chap- lain in Gen. Washington's army on Long Island. 83 In his boyhood he attended the district school in the neighborhood, with about a dozen of his cousins, and many are the stories still told of the good times they had, and the practical jokes they played while the spirit of fun was rampant within them, and the cares and sorrows of life had not yet rested upon them. They were indeed a community; in interest and affections one ; not only friends and neighbors, but with the same blood flowing in their veins, the same circumstances surrounding them, with mutual friends, mutual interests, mutual joys and mutual anticipa- tions for the future. How they looked back in after years to those days and recalled their happy hours, ere time, distance or death had intervened to mar their enjoyment. When he had finished at the district school, he went to the Jefferson Academy, which was then under the direction of the Rev. Wm. Saulis- bury who founded it, and while attending there he was converted. After he left the Academy, he went to Hobart and took charge of the hotel of Hiram Peck, who married his sister Jane, remained there one year, and then went to Leeds, Greene County, as clerk for a Mr. Whittlesey. While there he had a fit of sickness which lasted three months. In the year 1837, he went to New York as a clerk in a grocery store on West St. ; remained there one year, then took charge of the Western Hotel for a year, then went to Albany and spent the winter with his cousin Wm. More, son of Robert, and in the spring returned to New York, where he has remained ever since. He spent three years as a clerk, and then went into the wholesale grocery business, under the firm name of Adams, Cushman & Co., he being the Co. He is now and has been for some years a broker on Wall St. In person Mr. More is tall, erect and of fine appearance; in manners rather courtly, and is a typical gentleman of the old school. . He married in May, 1846, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James Trathen, a Captain in the U. S. Navy, who was in service in the Gulf under Farragut. She was reputed to be very beautiful, and was, in every respect, a true, noble woman, and still lives to share his joy and sorrows, and to be the comfort of his old age. Eight children have been given them, four sons and four daughters, five of whom are now living. Mr. More has for many years been noted for his piety and religious devotion, and having a fine memory has stored his mind with large por- tions of the word of God, which he delights in repeating to himself. He was instrumental in starting, and for a number of years a worker in the Fulton St. daily prayer meeting. Has had reverses of fortunes, and sorrows and bereavements, but lives above them all, keeping his trust in the unseen and eternal bright and clear, and like Enoch of old, "walks with God" day by day, in sweet communion and blessed companionship. 84 JACOB LARAWAY MORE (21), of Camden, Oneida County, New York, son of John T. More and Eleanor Laraway, who is the subject of the following obituary notice, died at his residence in Camden, on May 26th, 1891. Those of the cousins who were at the Reunion in 1890 will remember his genial presence, and how heartily he entered into the enjoyments of the occasion, his affectionate greetings, his loving inquiries and his fatherly counsels. They will also remember the interesting paper he read on the " More Family in the Past," and how he enjoyed recalling the incidents of other days when those of the same blood dwelt near each other, and showed to such a wonderful degree that " love which worketh no ill to its neighbor.' ' The obituary notice clipped from the Camden paper is so complete that we will not add to it, simply stating that he was elder in the Re- formed Church in Moresville, and deacon in the church of the same denomination at Napanoch, Ulster County, New York. death's HABVEST — SUDDEN DEATH OF JACOB MORE — FOR A SCORE OF YEARS A BUSINESS MAN AND A RESPECTED CITIZEN OF THIS VILLAGE. Sudden affliction seems hardest to bear. It was with crushing weight it fell on the hearts of the family of Jacob More, by his sudden death about four o'clock Tuesday afternoon, from apoplexy, and no less saddening to his friends and neighbors. ' 'TJncle Jake, " as he was familiarly known, was at his insurance office in the forenoon, and was considered in his usual health, although he had been far from well for the past year, having suffered with the prevailing la grippe. After dinner he again went to his oifice for a short time, and after returning home, as was his usual custom, lay down for a rest. He was in his seventy -fifth year, and being a fleshy man, weighing nearly 300 pounds, wearied easily. About four o'clock he roused up and expressed his intention of going over to the ofl&ce before supper. He started up, when suddenly, without warning, he fell back and expired. Uncle Jacob was a thorough and practical Christian, and had served the Master fifty- three years. He joined the Dutch Reformed Church at Moresville, Delaware county, when he was twenty-two years of age, and afterward united with the Presbyterian Church, in which denomination he has held responsible positions, as elder and trustee, from time to time, and also been a great worker in the Sunday School. He has been a trustee of the Pres- byterian Church of Camden for twenty years. In his death all feel the loss of a familiar, genial friend from our midst, one whose good-natured salutations and friendly pat on the shoulder or wholesome grasp of the hsind reached a warm spot in the heart, and made him greatly loved and respected. A short biography of his life will not be amiss, as he was widely known as a tanner and insurance agent in Oneida, Oswego and Levsds counties, to which his business has extended. He was of Scotch descent, and a year ago attended a Reunion of the More family at Mores- ville, when a monuinent was unveiled to the memory of his grandfather. On this occasion Uncle Jacob represented his branch of the family, and presented an exhaustive and interest- ing historical paper. He was born in Moresville, Delaware county, N. Y., September 6th, 1816, and attended a district school near by, and later the GreenvUle Academy. His first wife was Elizabeth Wickes of Moresville, by whom he had four children, Zophar W. and Egbert of Denver, John JACOB LARAWAY MORE. 21. ZlirilAR WIL'KES MURK. I40, TAYLOR MORE. I(J J. MRS. ELIZABETH MORE FOOTE. I6. 85 T. deceased, and Emily N. , wife of G. R. Shepard. His second wife was Jane "Wickes, a sister of the former, by whom he has two daughters, Misses Lizzie and Anna More of this village. Among Mr. More's first business ventures was running a grist-mill at Harpersfield, Delaware county, which he gave up on account of ill health. He later went into the tanning business, which he learned from being with his brothers, and in 1852 went to Pennsylvania and had charge of a tannery belonging to the H. D. Gould estate. He afterwards conducted tanneries at Lackawack, Ulster county, and from 1857 to 1864 was in Amboy, Oswego county. In 1864 he bought a tannery located near Conanfs factory in Camden, at which point he was burned out. He soon after moved to Sand Bank, Oswego county, and took charge of a tannery. While in Sand Bank he was supervisor of the town two years, and he was nominated for member of assembly in that district. Being a staunch democrat, and the district republican, he was not elected. He moved back to Camden about twenty-one years ago, and has since been agent for fire and life insurance. Besides the immediate family he leaves two grand- daughters, children of the late John Taylor More, Misses Jennie and Eattie, both of this village. The family have the heartfelt sympathy of a saddened community in the great loss they have sustained, of a loving and thoughtful husband, a kind and indulgent father. It is well with him, for he was ready. The ftmeral will be held from the house on Third street, at 4:30 p. m., Friday. TAYLOR MORE (100), son of John L. More and Anna Gould, was born in Roxbury, New York, January 3d, 1820, and died in Deposit, New York, February 2d, 1879. He married Nancy D. Ferris, a daughter of John Ferris, of the town of Roxbury, who died January 3d, 1848. Three children were born of this union : Malvina, who died in infancy ; John F., who died in 1874 ; and Arthur, who is now living and engaged in the practice of law in Deposit, N. Y. Mr. More married for his second wife Miss Betsey, daughter of David Burrows, of Deposit . The following named children of his second mar- riage are now living, viz. : Jay, who is in Colorado ; George, who re- sides on the old place at Deposit ; Clark, who is in Chicago ; Taylor, who is teaching at the Orchard Lake Military Academy, Michigan ; and Cornelia, who is now residing in Aurora, Illinois. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney and counsellor of the Supreme Court of the State of New York on July 13th, 1853, and from the time of his admission practiced his profession : first at Delhi, N. Y., and afterward at Deposit, until the time of his death. In his profession he was always careful and conscientious. If there was a doubt in his mind as to the final result of a proposed litigation, he invariably dis- couraged the bringing of suit, — oftentimes to his own pecuniary loss. 86 In morals it may be said, without flattery, that his life was above reproach. His honesty, none who knew him ever questioned. He in- dulged his fancy in leisure hours writing poems, both humorous and serious, but few of them ever appearing in print, or even known of out- side of his own family . He was a strong believer in the old-fashioned, orthodox religion, yet liberal toward those who did not agree with him on these subjects. The closing sentence of his will, made in 1875, is cherished by his family, and is typical of his character. It is : "I hope and believe that my children will cultivate kindly feelings towards each other ; that they will be manly, just and true in all the relations, intercourse, business and duties of life ; just to themselves and to all men ; and their mother I know they will not forget. God bless and keep you all — mother and children." WILSON PAGE MORE (102), the subject of this sketch, son of John L. More and Anna Gould, was born in More Settlement, on the farm ad- joining his grandfather's, May 3d, 1825. When he was nine years of age his father purchased the hotel at Moresville, and removed to that village, where Wilson grew to manhood. He was a vigorous, thoughtful and studious boy and young man, and improved the educational advantages of the village school and of the Delhi Academy, which secured him a good English education. In 1848 he married Miss Polly, daughter of John Ferris^ and pur- chased the hotel and adjoining farm of two hundred acres of his father, where he began in earnest the battle of life. But he was severely handicapped from the very start. He assumed so great an indebtedness in the purchase of the property, that the interest on it became a burden greater than the business was able to bear ; so, after persevering five years, he sold the hotel to Mr. Samuel Jenkins in April, 1853. Tlius this public house, which had been the property of four gen- erations, during a period of sixty-seven years, passed from the possession of the family. That the hotel was conducted for the accommodation of the public, rather than a as source of revenue for its proprietor, is evident from the fact stated by Mr. More, that during the fourteen and a half years that his father managed it, the total profits were not as much as would have 87 been produced had he placed at interest the amount which he paid in cash toward its purchase. Yet all this time there was an immense amount of travel over this route to the Hudson river, largely of farmers carrying their produce to market, but the charges made for the ample and excellent pro- vision afforded were so moderate that the host had to be satisfied with the very enviable reputation he acquired, rather than from the emolument secured from the business. The small income is also evidence of the fact that its proprietor restricted the sale of liquor within the smallest possible compass which could be made practicable in conducting a hotel. Mr. More grew to manhood in the hotel, and never acquired a taste for either tobacco or liquor, but has all his life been a staunch, practical, aggressive temperance man. After the sale of the hotel, Mr. More devoted all his energies to agri- cultural pursuits. He erected a comfortable residence on the farm, with substantial dairy buildings, and he was considered one of the best farmers in that region. In August of the year that he removed to the farm, the shadow of affliction fell across his home, and his beloved wife passed for- ever from these earthly scenes, leaving an infant son, Marcus, now resid- ing in the West. In June, 18.59, Mr. More married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Hughes of Hobart, N. Y. This union was blessed with three daughters and one son, all of whom were born in Moresville. While continuing to conduct the farm he engaged in some outside enterprises ; among others, with Mr. Charles Harley of Moresville, in the purchase of butter and farm products, for the California market. This venture proved quite profitable. In 1885 Mr. More sold his property in Moresville, and moved to Kingston, N. Y., where he has since resided. For several years he has been ticket agent at the Fair street station of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad, and at the same time has acted as agent for a large firm which deals in anthracite coal. His leisure time, which is quite limited, has been occupied in writing a book, which he has nearly completed, on the "Tides and Meteorological Phenomena," in which he claims are some original ideas in this field, not heretofore promulgated. His eldest daughter, Anna Gould, lives at home with her parents. The second one, Helen Kedgie, is in Washington, D. C. , acting as private secre- tary to Mrs. Senator Hurst of California. Margaret married Mr. Fred A. Kline, and resides in Phoenicia, N. Y., and the son Fred, is agent of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad at Bloomville, N. Y. 88 GEORGE OGDElSr MORE (108), of Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, eldest son of Robert L. More and Gertrude Conover, was born in Stanley Hall, Prattsville, Greene County, New York, December 9tb, 1825. While still very young, his father removed to Moresville and built a tannery, where he conducted that business until 1837, when he sold all his interests there and removed to Durhamville, Oneida County, where he erected another tannery. At the Reunion of the More family fifty-five years after he had left Moresville, Mr. More visited the old homestead, which was occupied by a descendant of a family who had long been in his father's employ. He was heartily welcomed and given permission to visit every nook and corner of the old home, which remained just about as it had been left so long ago. At fourteen years of age, George began to work in the tannery, but as he did not wish to make it his business, he after a while accepted a posi- tion as clerk in a store, at a salary of one hundred dollars per year. The firm he was with also carried on an extensive glass manufacturing business, and shipped glass to all parts of the country. He was soon given charge of this branch of the trade, which suited him much better than confinement in the store. In 1847 he joined his father in Norwalk, Conn., who had taken a con- tract for building a section of the N. Y. and N. H. Railroad. This being finished, he embarked in the produce business in New York City, and at the same time secured the privilege of building a few sections of the Erie R. R. extension to Dunkirk, which he re-let to another contractor, and in the transaction made considerable money. In 1849 he abandoned the pro- duce business, and assisted his father in building a stone dam across the James river, near Richmond, Va. On this work he lost money. In 1850 he came North and took a contract from Boody, Ross & Dillon, who were the contractors for building the extension of the Central Rail- road of New Jersey, from White House to Easton . This work finished, just as the first train was run over the road Mr. More received a letter from the Superintendent, whom he had never seen, requesting him to take charge of the erection of terminal improvements, etc., at Elizabethport, New Jersey. He entered into the airangement at once, finished the nec- essary improvements, and took charge of the grading, laying rails, etc., for a second track from Elizabethport to Raritan, about thirty miles. This work having been completed in 1 857, he was appointed Freight Agent at Elizabethport. This was a position of great responsibility, as it was the terminus of the road, and all freight and passengers had to be transferred in boats to New York, rendering it necessary to keep a num- ber of men at work day and night. JUNAS HAMILTON MnKK. log. GEORGE OGDEN MORE. Io8. SAMUEL MORE. II3. 89 During the war such demands were made upon the carrying capacity of the road, that Mr. More has said he thought he handled more men, cavalry, artillery, ordnance stores, etc., than most of the officers at the front. He had charge of this station until 1867, when he received the appointment of freight agent at Jersey City and New York, which he held throughout all the various changes of officers and administrations, until 1889. He is still with the road, but in a position where his responsi- bilities and duties are much lighter. In 1854 Mr. More married Miss Sarah Bagley, and to them four children have been born, the elder two of whom were sons and died in infancy, and the younger two are daughters, Miss EUie and Miss Ida, who still grace and enliven the home of their parents. A railroad paper lately contained the following in regard to the sub- ject of this sketch : ' ' The world, as Emerson says, ' is no longer clay, but rather iron ia the hands of workers , and men have got to hammer out a place for themselves by steady and rugged blows. ' This is true of the present age, and particularly so of the railroad business. Men can no longer go at one leap into prominent positions, but must work on steadily in such a way as to prove, by the stuff that is in them, their capabilities and fitness. This might truly be said of Gr. O. More, the popular agent of the Philadelphia and Reading, Pier 14, North Biver, N. Y. Mr. More commenced railroading by building the old New Jersey Central road between Ashbury and Valley Station. He afterwards graded the double track between EUzabethport and Summer- ville, at the completion of which he was appointed agent at EUzabethport, the then terminus of the Central. J. O. Steams, first superintendent, ever active as to the futiire of his road, suc- ceeded in having arrangements made for the building of a branch from EUzabethport to Jersey City, and recognizing Mr. More's ability, appointed him to take charge of the stations at New York and Jersey City. Mr. More is a pleasant, co^u^;eous gentleman, popular alike with shippers and employes. His administration has been noted for characteristic integrity and ability, and he enjoys a reputation of unblemished private character." JONAS HAMILTON MORE (109), of Tiskilwa, Illinois, son of Robert L. More and Gertrude Conover, was born in the town of Pratts- ville, Greene County, New York, January 9th, 1828. While he was still an infant his father removed to Moresville, and when he was nine years old to Durhamville, where, as soon as he was old enough, he began work- ing in his father's tannery at such times as he was not in school. 90 When his father went to Connecticut to engage in the business of building railroads, Jonas accompanied him, and though but nineteen years old, took charge of a gang of men in excavating and grading. This business he followed for eight years, in different parts of the country : first, in Norwalk, Connecticut, on the New York and New Haven Railroad; then in Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson River Railroad; then at Farmington, Connecticut, where he had a contract to grade a sec- tion of the New Haven and Northampton Railroad. After completing this he went to Bethlehem, New Jersey, where he and his brother George took a contract to grade a section of the New Jersey Central Railroad, upon the completion of which he went to Tiskilwa, Hlinois, to super- intend the grading of a portion of the Chicago and Rock Island Rail- road; from there to Putnam, on the Bureau Valley Railroad; and from there to Muscatine, Iowa, on the Muscatine branch of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. He returned to Tiskilwa in 1855, and married Nancy Kitterman, daughter of Michael Kitterman, a native of Virginia, and one of the pioneer settlers of Bureau County, Illinois . In 1856 he engaged in the mercantile business, locating at Tiskilwa, Illinois, and has continued in the same to the present time. In 1867 he took a contract to grade four miles of the Union Pacific Railroad, in Western Nebraska. Completing this work he returned to Tiskilwa, where he continued his mercantile business, and where his family had remained during his absence. He has had six children : two boys and four girls. The eldest three died in infancy. He has three daughters living : Emma, the eldest, married Mr. Edward R. Pettegrew, and resides in Tiskilwa ; the younger two, Gertrude and Marion, are at home. Both of them, in company with their father, attended the More Family Reunion at Roxbury. Mr. More has had his share of the vicissitudes of life, but has man- aged to obtain and retain the confidence and respect of his neighbors, who have bestowed upon him many positions of honor and trust, — among them that of Postmaster, Supervisor, Member of the Board of Education, President and Member of the Village Trustees, Township School Treas- urer, and Member of the Illinois House of Representatives. 91 SAMUEL MORE (113), the subject of this sketch, youngest son of Robert L. More and Gertrude Conover, was born at Moresville, New York, March 14th, 1836. When he was but an infant his father, with his family, moved to Dur- hamville. New York. Here Samuel spent his boyhood and attended the primary school. Subsequently the family moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, and later to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he attended the school taught by Mr. Eliphalet Faye, from which he graduated. Soon after leaving school he went to New York, in the employ of Williams & Cunningham, wholesale merchants of that city. In the year 1855 he emigrated to California, where he joined his brother John who had previously gone to that State. After remaining a short time in San Francisco, the brothers entered into the mercantile business, locating at Oroville, California. They were quite successful in their venture, until the great lire occurred which nearly destroyed the town. They were among the unfortunate ones, and lost all their property. Poor but not discouraged, with no capital but their energy and repu- tation, the brothers returned to San Francisco and secured employment in one of the leading wholesale houses in that city as traveling salesmen. During one of John's trips among the mountains he contracted a severe cold, which terminated in consumption. Becoming satisfied that his disease was incurable, he felt a strong desire to see his parents once more, who were then residing in Poughkeepsie, New York, and deter- mined if possible to visit them. This, greatly to his satisfaction, he accomplished, returning to California via the Isthmus route. In due time he arrived in San Francisco, and died the following day, leaving a wife and one child. Samuel in the meantime, with others, had formed a co-partnership for the conducting of a wholesale mercantile business in San Francisco, under the firm name of Pond, Reynolds & Co. The house carried on an exten- sive and successful business for several years, when Mr. Pond, the present Mayor of San Francisco, retired from the firm. The other partners con- tinued the business as the firm of More, Hunt & Co. , and later that of More, Reynolds & Co. Afterwards Mr. More purchased the other partners' interests, and con- ducted the business himself under the name of Samuel More & Co., until his death, which occurred December 8th, 1887. He was largely endowed with those genial and social qualities so characteristic of the Mores, ever contributing to the enjoyment and happiness of those with whom he mingled, in social or business relations. 92 He was married in 1868 to Miss May Blunt, of Plumas county, one of California's most attractive young ladies. Together they lived happily for nineteen years, making their hom6 most of this time at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, where they enjoyed the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and associates. The following notice of his death appeared in the "Daily Examiner," of San Francisco, December 9th, 1887 : "DEATH OF SAMTJEL MORE — A PROMINENT MERCHANT'S SUDDEN DEMISE. The sudden death, last evening, of the well-known California street merchant was sorrow- fully commented on by his numerous friends at the Palace Hotel, where he had resided with his wife ever since the Hotel was opened. The deceased was of the present firm of Samuel More & Co., Merchants, No. 213 California street. ***** Mr. More was attending to his business as usual on Wednesday, and in the evening was mingling with his associates in the Hotel as was his custom, although during the evening he remarked to Prison Director Sountag that he had a strange pain in the chest. Yesterday morn- ing at five o'clock he felt badly, and his wife had a physician summoned. He was relieved somewhat after taking the doctor's prescription, and rested easily during the day until four p. M. , when, while sitting on the lounge, he suddenly straightened up, threw back his head and fell over dead. His business affairs are left in excellent condition, his wife — there were no children — ^being heir to considerable property. Last night Drs. Burgess and Abrams held an autopsy, and announced that death resulted from a rupture of the heart, caused by a fatty degeneration of that organ. The deceased was a native of New York. He was a genial and pleasant gentleman, be- loved by all who knew him." SAMUEL P. MORE (124), the publisher of this history, is the only son of Andrew More and Ann Eliza Hardenbergh. He was born in the town of Roxbury, near Moresville, June 11th, 1846. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending the district school. When about sixteen years of age he attended the Prattsville Academy, then one of the best schools in that vicinity. Graduating from there, he went through a more ad- vanced course at the Roxbury Academy, under the instruction of Rev. O. R. Bouton. After completing his studies at this Institution he expressed a prefer- ence, in selecting a vocation, for the printing and newspaper business but circumstances were such that he could not well gratify his tastes, and be- SAMUEL P. MORE. I24. 93 ing the only son and brother he was rather compelled to follow farming in order that the work at the home should be kept moving. For a time he engaged in the tanning business with his brother-in-law, M. L. Benham, but the fact that his father had been unfortunate in that business dis- couraged him from pushing out on that line. In 1880 he became circumstanced so as to buy a half interest in a news- paper property at Great Bend, Pa., and subsequently purchased the entire plant, and conducted a Republican newspaper upon the principles of pro- tection, reciprocity, and the advancement of the human race. He perfected himself in every department of the trade, working much of the time at the compositors' case. His business flourished, and a few years later he purchased an interest in another newspaper property, the Tioga County Herald, at Newark Valley, New York, which office was soon after fitted up with all the latest devices of the printing art. In connection with other business he found time to speculate in and handle real estate in the growing city of Binghamton, New York, where he at this time owns and controls some good properties ; and where he expects to make his future home. In the Winter of 1891 the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- road Company erected a magnificent, modern style. Young Men's Chris- tian Association building, at that Company's expense, at Great Bend, that place being a railroad town. Samuel P. More was elected President of the Board of Directors in that organization, which position he still retains. He has occupied various positions of honor in his town, being for a long time the President of the Board of Education, and fiUing other posi- tions of a political and social nature. At the date of the first reunion he was the only newspaper publisher and editor in the family . On the 10th of March, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Altie E. Clinton, only child of G. S. Clinton, Esq., of Newark Valley, New York. This union was blessed with the birth of two sons, Fred. Clinton and Harry G., of the fifth generation. He possesses in a large degree the family characteristics— sociability, good fellowship, love of pleasantry, — and is furnished with an inexhaust- ible supply of anecdotes, of which he is never at a loss for one to fit the occasion. This trait serves him well in his profession of journalism, and renders his paper exceedingly spicy and interesting. He combines with an invariable friendliness of demeanor, good busi- ness ability and political popularity, that firm devotion to principle which always wins confidence and esteem. 94 JOHN MORE FOOTE (127), of Brooklyn, New York, son of Orrin Foote and Elizabeth Taylor More, daughter of John T. More, was born in Hobart, Delaware County, New York, April 4th, 1840. His father was a prominent merchant and manufacturer, and enjoyed the highest respect and confidence of the community, being for a long time Postmaster of the village, and one of the Supervisors of the town of Stamford. In the year 1846 he was elected to the State Legislature, and took a prominent part in the legislation by which the anti-rent troubles were finally adjusted. John's education began in the Hobart Seminary, of which Frederick L. Hanford was the Principal, and to whom every pupil who was fortunate enough to be under his instruction owes a debt of gratitude for conscientious teaching. In 1852 the family removed to Alexandria, Virginia, and John con- tinued his education at the Alexandria High School, from which he graduated in 1857. In 1858 he returned to New York City, where he served as clerk in his father's store until the beginning of the war. In 1862 and '63 he was in Government service at the Brooklyn Navy- Yard, and in 1864 entered the First National Bank of New York City, in the department devoted to dealing in United States bonds, of which he has been the chief clerk for many years, and has seen almost the whole process of the creation of the Government bonded debt, and its marvelous extinguishment. Mr. Foote is a great lover of home life, quiet and unostentatious in manner, and a member of the Episcopal Church. JOHN MORE PECK (128). There has been but little hesitation on the part of the members of the " More" clan to leave the surroundings and attachments of early life, when either duty or interest called them away ; hence we find them scattered in less than forty years throughout twenty-one States, from Vermont to California, from Oregon to Florida. Among the Pacific Coast contingents, and one of those who early caught the "gold fever," was a descendant of John T., the son of his daughter Jane and Hiram Peck, John More Peck, who was born in Hobart, Jan- uary 30th, 1830. His father died before he was six years old, but his mother was a capable, stirring, energetic woman, and brought her children up to be self- reliant and independent. The discovery of gold in such large quantities 96 in California when he was a young man, fired his ambitious soul, and he determined to avail himself of the opportunity to make a fortune for him- self and friends. He accordingly emigrated to the Golden Gate early in the fifties, and suffered the privations common to those pioneer gold hunters. He finally, after a few years' prospecting, entered trade in San Francisco as a whole- sale grocer, and by thorough business capacity and wise management succeeded almost phenomenally, until he became possessed of a vast amount of wealth. After he had been there several years he married a Mrs. Jane McDonald, and died suddenly soon after. Mr. Peck was noted alike for his eminent business abilities, his fine social qualities, his handsome personal appearance, and his free-handed liberality to all about him in trouble or distress. His memory is kindly cherished by all who knew him, who never weary in speaking of his abilities and his kindly, genial and loving disposition. DAVID MORE PECK (129), second son of Jane More (daughter of John T.) and Hiram Peck, was born in Hobart, New York, August 6th, 1832. He grew to young manhood in this place and Moresville, where his mother resided after her second marriage with Dr. Samuel Howell. David entered business as a clerk for Wm. C. More & Co., of Rond- out, New York, where he remained one year, then in another general store in the same place for a year, when he returned to Hobart and engaged his services to a firm in that place. While here he made the acquaintance of his amiable and talented wife, Miss Margaret, daughter of Patrick Hughes, whom he married April Ist, 1854. He then engaged in the foundry and machine business for several years in Hobart, where they resided, and where five of their six children were born; and where one of them died when a little more than a year old. In the meantime his brother John was prospering so greatly in Cali- fornia, that he sent for David and his family and his mother to join him in that State. They went by steamer some time between 1860 and 1864. While on the passage the late Senator Hurst, who was one of the passengers, was attacked with severe illness, and Mrs. Howell, who was a famous nurse, took care of him and brought him through. He was so grateful for the kindness that he ever after remained a true friend of the family, and assisted the young artist, who was then an infant, in after years to pursue his studies abroad, and also to find sale for some of his finest works. 96 They had resided in San Francisco but a short time when their young- est child, Wm. Chauncey, sickened and died, in 1863; and in December, 1868, Mr. Peck was called to lay down his life burdens and go to his reward. In 1872 their eldest son, a promising young man of seventeen, died suddenly from the effects of a gun-shot, received while he was hunting at Clear Lake, California. Mr. Peck possessed in large degree several marked "More" traits. He was extremely social and genial, free-hearted and liberal, a lover of justice, a good conversationalist, and full of enterprise and business ability. Had his life been spared, he would doubtless have taken a prom- inent position in his adopted city and State. Mrs. Peck survives him, and with her son Orrin the artist, and Janet who was born after they went to California, spends most of her time in Munich, Germany. Their daughter Helen married Mr. Fred. Gr. Sanborn, and resides in San Francisco, California. ORRIN HOWELL (131), of Hopland, California, son of Jane More (daughter of John T.), and Dr. Samuel Howell, was born in Moresville, New York, January 15th, 1839. His father died the same year in which Orrin was born, and he found a home for a good part of the time with his uncle, Andrew More He went to school in the winter, and in summer worked for some farmer in the neighborhood, until he was eighteen years old, when his half-brother, John Peck, sent for him to come to California. At that time Ho railroad spanned the continent, and a trip to California was as much of an event as a tour of the world would be in these days of palace cars and vestibule trains. He set sail from New York in July, 1857, on the old Steamer " Central America." When he arrived in California he went into a wholesale grocery store, remained a year and a half, then went to Cloverdale in a general store where he remained two years, then to Oregon in the mines. After spend- ing two summers and one winter in mining, he returned to San Francisco, where he remained till the latter part of 1868, when he bought a ranch (farm), in the valley where he now lives. In 1871, Mr. Howell married Miss Lizzie Brooks of San Francisco, and six children, four boys and two girls, blessed their union. He is now proprietor of the "Duncan Springs Hotel," of Hopland, California, a noted health resort. 97 ZOPHAR WICKES MORE (140), of Denver, Colorado, eldest son of Jacob L. More and Elizabeth Wlckes, was born in Moresville, New York, April 18th, 1837. He was educated in the common school at Moresville, and then became a private pupil in the winter of 1847 and 1848 in the family of Rev. Charles A. Evans, at Durham, Greene County, New York. He passed the sum- mer of 1849 at the select school of Frederick Hanford, at Hobart, New York; and finally the winter of 1850 and 1851 at the New York Conference Seminary, Charlotteville, Schoharie County, New York. While quite a young child he removed with his parents to Harpers- field, New York, where they resided a year or two, and then returned to Moresville, where his boyhood days were passed . When only fifteen years of age he went to Rondout, New York, and engaged his services to E. W. Knapp & Co., druggists of that place, where he remained about six months, when he joined his father at Lackawack, in Ulster County, New York, where he was conducting a large tannery, and went into a country store as clerk. Afterwards he embarked in the same business with partners, in which he was unsuccessful. In 1859 he again joined his father, this time at West Amboy, Oswego County, New York, and remained with him six years there and at Camden, New York. In 1865 he embarked in the wholesale drug business at Sj'-racuse, New York, in which he continued nine years under different firm names, being a partner for a part of the time in the firm of Jerome B. Moore & Co. While still engaged in this business he became interested also in the manufacture of canned fruits and vegetables, with Messrs. M. R. and M. P. B. Cook and F. Gebbie, at Camden and Lockport, New York, carry- ing on a very large business. In the spring of 1886 breaking health com- pelled his retirement, and rendered it necessary for him to spend two years in Dansville, New York, England, Florida and elsewhere, seeking to re- cover the same. In June, 1888, he went to Denver, Colorado, where he invested in real estate, mines, etc., and became President of the "New York Investment Co.," which position he stillholds, and resides in Denver, making frequent trips to New York and throughout the East. When he was about seventeen years of age he became a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Napanoch, New York, where he occupied the office of deacon for about two years. He afterwards transferred his mem- bership to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Camden, and again to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lockport, New York, of which he is still a member and trustee, having been organist of the latter two churches continuously for more than twenty years. 12 98 Mr. More has always had a passion for music, and has devoted all his spare moments, even when engaged in arduous business pursuits, to this one pastime, and has a piano in Ms office, in the use of which he finds rest and recreation. He has never been married, although he is exceedingly social and fond of congenial society. EGBERT MORE (143), of Denver, Colorado, son of Jacob L. More and Elizabeth Wickes, was born in Moresville, New York, August 12th, 1845, He removed with his parents to their different places of residence daring his minority, always availing himself of the privileges of the schools in their vicinity, and assisting his father when practicable, until he was twenty years of age, when he entered the law office of Mr. Edward L. Stevens of Rome, New York, as a student. Here he pursued his legal studies for two years, when he was admitted to the bar. He made a trip to Omaha in the summer of 1867, with a view of locat- ing for the practice of his prof ession, but finding nothing inviting, returned and commenced practice at Williamstown, Oswego County, New York. After about six months he became managing clerk for the law firm of Edmunds & Miller, Utica, New York. Remained with them until the fall of 1869, when he purchased a Fire Insurance Agency and business at Camden, New York, and again became a member of his father's house- hold. He continued in this business nearly four years, when he resumed the practice of law at Trumansburgh, New York, where he remained until the summer of 1876, when he returned to Camden and formed a partner- ship with a Mr. Carroll for the practice of law, in which he continued about twelve years. In June, 1888, he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he has since resided, and been engaged in the practice of law and a real estate and loan business. Mr. More married first. Miss Olive Curtiss of Camden, New York, in 1872, and three children blessed this union, the eldest of whom died in infancy. His wife died in 1879. He married again in 1881, Miss Julia E. Manley, and they have two children, both living. 99 Mr. More became a member of the First Congregational Church at Camden in 186.'5. When the Presbyterian Church was organized in that place in 1868, he transferred his membership to that body, and has always remained a member of that or some other Presbyterian Church since, and has been a ruling elder in the same nearly all the time for the last twenty years. He is now a member of the Capitol Avenue Presbyterian Church of Denver. Mr. More is no lover of political or public life; naturally domestic in his tastes, and quiet and reserved, he finds his happiness in his home-life and in his family, of which he is very fond. ARTHUK MORE (466), second son of Taylor More and Nancy Ferris, was born in Roxbary, New York, November 18th, 1847. His mother died before he was two months old, and in anticipating that sad event, gave Arthur into the care of her sister. He was brought up in the family of the Hon. John Ferris at Moresville, and remained with them until he was twenty years of age. Daring this time he attended school and received an academic and classical education at Roxbury, Stam- ford and Delhi Academies. He pursued the study of law in his father's office at Deposit, and was admitted to the bar at Binghamton, New York, at the age of twenty-three. He at once commenced and still continues the practice of law at De- posit. Upon his admission to the bar, he was taken into partnership with his father under the firm name of T. & A. More, which partnership existed until the death of his father in 1879. He enjoys an extensive practice in his chosen profession, and is ranked as one of the best equity lawyers in Southern New York. Mr. More is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Deposit. Being of a modest, quiet, retiring disposition, he has never sought or held any high official position, although on various occasions his name has been prominently mentioned as a possible candidate for high judicial offices, for which his education and temperament eminently fit him. In 1877 Mr. More married Miss Ida Parker of Deposit. To them three children, Edna, Donald and Marian Gould, have been born. 100 GEORGE MORE (468), son of Taylor More and Betsey Burrows, was born in Deposit, Broome County, New York, September 5th, 1860. He received his education at the Deposit Union Free School and De posit Academy, and commenced his business career as clerk in a dry goods store. He then went to New York in the employ of the Manhattan Ele- vated Railroad, where he remained two years, after which he returned to his native town and entered the furniture business with a Mr. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & More, which business he conducted seven years. In 1886 Mr. More married Miss Jessie Mary Knapp of Deposit, New York, and in 1890 retired to the old homestead and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. He has two children — a son and a daughter. FRED MORE (479), only son of Wilson P. More and Elizabeth Hughes, was born in Moresville, New York, September 25th, 1869. He was educated at the district school and Kingston Academy, and for the last seven years has been in the employ of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad as telegraph operator and ticket agent at Grand Gorge and Phoenicia, and at the present time in Bloomville, New York. LEVI BENNETT COCHRAN (510), son of Catharine More (daughter of Robert L.,) and the Rev. Andrew Cochran, was born in DurhamviUe, Oneida County, New York, December 8th, 1867. After completing his studies at the Oneida High School, he engaged as an apprentice in the drug business at Oneida. Afterwards went to Philadelphia, where he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduating from that institution in April, 1891. He then entered upon the study of medicine, and the following fall matriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he now is, complet- ing his last year. He has traveled extensively in the United States, having been engaged during his vacation seasons in a business capacity. 101 OBRIN PECK (531 "), only living son of David More Peck and Margaret Hughes, and grandson of Jane More, one of the daughters of John T. More, was born April 13th, 1860, in Hobart, Delaware County, New York. The family moved in 1862 to California, where he was reared and educated in the public schools of San Francisco. His father dying when he was a child, his early training and educa- tion devolved entirely upon his mother, who earnestly tried to make a business man of the youth. A quick mind, combined with pleasing manners and a jovial tempera- ment, made him successful and popular in commercial circles, but mer- cantile pursuits were so distasteful to him, and art-love so strong within him, that in August, 1883, he sailed for Germany. After several years' study in the Art Academy in Munich, he is probably today one of the most promising of the young American artists abroad. In fact, though his art life may be said to be only just well begun, he has already fulfilled much promise, and is one of the finest colorists the Munich school has ever produced. One of his early pictures, " Yonf Ihm," has received two second gold medals: one at the "Internationale Atjsstellung " at Munich, in 1890, and again at Berlin in 1891. Several of his works are owned in America, and should years and health be his, this great-great-grandson of John More and Betty Taylor is likely to enroll himself among the eminent painters of his day. Whl^&SMl-ioeOQO-^OJOlJ^tOtSl-' •-t -t fD p J-l w en -I (B p P KH^ iU ^.^ ^^C !^0 o n <-> i>'&L^ 3 3SS ff! i, p' O S" P - cp tn (1) fp >: t^' "-I o -■ . S33ff" o S 2 ■ 'i»g' It "^ S^' ■ "• H '^ s CD 03 ^^O Sg3 gQg> H !j H Cf m Jc fn {D "" o 2 o- 'S EX 3 3 gp W iS p 2 §05 • I-, -I o-P • = P PJ "^ o 3 '^ 2.KE O a) <» M203S3DP (^S )p (t T 0(X! S" 3 Sit y ; o 'fl- "> " i"3gggJ 3 2 o i" 2 O oO - °3S ■-I fD ? ID OSp -Tit a FT 3g lb ^ a> a> S W2 « fP ° n> - m ItD •^ S "-i "-l S^^hT! tn g jn tn p I-; p "c p » n "Sag"'" 5 3 a^^s 2WgW>ti^ f i Slug's 7" g5fdfSi»R§g3 3 5"32 -J too g o n M 2; O > |^ ISi O o W H ?3 O ^ •^ Robert More and Descendants ROBERT MORE (3), second son of John More, was born in Rothie- murchus. County of Inverness, Scotland, on July 8tli, 1772. Soon after his birth his parents decided to come to America, and in the autumn of that year when he was only six weeks old, they turned their backs on their native land and all it held of friends and relatives and tender associations, and sailed for the New World, to them a land of promise, whose fair fields and lofty mountains and fertile valleys were unshadowed by the ban of monarchical power. He seems to have inherited much of the sweet, gentle spirit of his mother, for he was naturally of a very retiring disposition, and always preferred the quiet of his own home to any other place, seldom leaving it except to go to Church, at which he was a regular attendant, and in later years to visit his children. He was a staunch Presbyterian, and was honest and upright and peaceable to an extent that could not fail to be remarked by all who came in contact with him, and always insisted upon living in harmony with all. In manners he was plain and unassuming, but exceedingly gentlemanly; in person small, but possessing the agility and sturdiness of a native Highlander, and was almost destitute of the spirit of fun and story- telling so largely possessed by his brothers. The greater part of his youth and young manhood was spent in Mores- ville, and when he was quite young, a widow lady from Connecticut, with a family of daughters, moved in the neighborhood and settled about a mile from his home. He became enamored with one of the daughters, and be- ing desirous to make a home and live independently of his father, he struck out into the solid wilderness about three miles from his father's, found a fine spring of water, and went to work clearing a spot and putting up a log cabin which he should afterwards call home, and where the happiest hours of his life were passed . While engaged in this pioneer work his only bed was that afforded by nature, and sheltered by a ledge of rocks he would lie down when wearied with the day's duties, and dream of future bliss. One can scarcely com- prehend the amount of work accomplished by this young hero as alone and single-handed he went forth to the forest, with the love that lightens all labor nerving him to endeavor, and illumining hia onward gaze with .104 visions of the wilderness subdued, and a happy home shstred by one for whom to labor was better than life. W hen all was in readiness, he took his bride, Susanna Fellows, and started out on the uncertain sea of married life. He was an untiring worker, and that she was a helpmeet is evident, for they soon succeeded in clearing a fine farm where they prospered and built, and raised a sturdy family of six sons and one daughter. When the daughter was only ten years old the mother was called to her rfeward, but the children having been trained to habits of industry and helpfulness, remained together and took care of the home. Mr. More afterwards married Miss Polly Moflatt, with whom he' lived in great happiness until her death, five months preceding his own. In him the home virtues found their brightest illustrations, for he was always considered a model husband and father. He remained on the farm of his early choice and labors, adding to it from time to time, until he owned about four hundred and thirty acres. Of this he gave a tract to each of his eldest three sons, David P., Alexander and Edward A. What remained after these gifts, he sold to his son Alexander in the fall of 1831, when he purchased a fine farm in Prattsville, to which he removed the following winter, and on which he resided until his death, February 19th, 1849. DAVID FELLOWS MORE (22), eldest son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born November 18th, 1795, in the town of Stamford, Delaware County, New York, and died October 21st, 1869, in Prattsville, Greene County, New York. His boyhood and young manhood were passed on the farm with his father, helping in such duties as a bright, strong, active boy coulddo, and attending the district school when there was any in the neighborhood. When he grew to manhood he married Miss Maria Laraway, and settled on a small farm which his father gave to him from his own. This wife died in 1845, and on December 22d, 1846, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of Phineas Stratton, who survived him six years. He purchased a farm in Prattsville and lived on it until advancing age made him feel that he would better enjoy a small place in the village; so he secured a comfortable house and lot in the village of Prattsville, and lived there with his family until his death. He was of a kindly disposi- tion, and overflowing with good humor and genuine Scotch wit. These Pi < s « o 2; o H u Q 105 traits, with an exhaustless fund of anecdotes and funny stories, made him a favorite companion, and his company was sought by all. As an enter- tainer he had no equal, and friends were always sure of hearty cheer when they visited him. His wife was an intelligent, cultivated woman, and proved a com- panion and helpmeet of whom he was always very fond. Their only child, Maria Frances, was born December 24th, 1848, in Prattsville. At the age of twenty-one she married Sidney Crowell, a lawj^er by profession, but remained at home to be the comfort and stay of her father and mother until their death, when she, with her husband and only child moved to Catskill, where they have since resided, her husband practicing his profession, and their son, Clifford More Crowell, attending school until having finished the local schools, he went to "Clinton Liberal Institute" at Fort Plain, New York, where he is now fitting himself for life and its duties. Mr. More was not a member, but was a regular attendant of the Re- formed Church of Prattsville, of which his wife and daughter were faith- ful members. He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity. ALEXANDER MOEE(25), son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born in Roxbury, New York, September 14th, 1799, and died in Ron- dout. New York, September 16th, 1872. Like his brothers and cousins, his opportunities for education were confined to the advantages afforded by the district school. He was natur- ally very quick, lively and active, and sitting in school all day was not to his turn of mind; still he managed to learn enough to answer his needs as a business man, and at the same time help his father in clearing the forest, and contribute his share toward the support of a growing family. He had a large measure of the spirit of fun and good humor so prominent in the family, and in after years, when old and feeble, would while away many an otherwise weary hour, by relating to interested listeners, the pranks and incidents of his boyhood. While a mere lad there mo veil in the vicinity a family from Salem, New York, originally from Connecticut, by the name of Church, consisting, besides the parents, of several boys and one little girl named Sarah, and he would often relate in after years, how when he first saw her he was deeply impressed with her beauty. She was playmate and school com- panion until reaching the age of sixteen years, when her father made arrangements to move to Michigan. Alexander could not endure the thought of having her go so far away, and as the only way to prevent it was 13 106 to keep her as his wife, he i)ropo8ed marriage. Her father yielded, and they were married April 15th, 1819, she being seventeen and he nineteen years of age. His father gave him fifty acres of his place on which to start. She proved to be a woman worthy and efficient as she was beauti- ful, possessing rare executive ability, and was a wise, judicious counsellor, walking hand in hand with her husband in a spirit of deep and earnest piety. By untiring industry and rigid economy, they managed to make a home and live upon this farm until after their first two children were born. Then his ambition overpowered his love for the old home, and he sold the land and bought a larger place in Blenheim, Schoharie County, on which were already built a house and barn. Here they lived for three years, but not liking the place, he sold, and returning to Eoxbury, bought his father's farm together with the strip he had previously sold, and there he lived and raised his family, and im- proved the place and prospered, until a few years before his death. He was greatly attached to the old home. Here the scenes of his boy- hood were enacted, the strength of his manhood had been given, the best years of his life had been passed, the fruits of his labors were evident on every hand, his family had grown up around him, and the neighbors with whom he had summered and wintered for so many years were familiar and kind and loving. No wonder that to it his thoughts returned day by day as to a shrine which held his choicest treasures, and on it his mind dwelt when the failing powers of his body compelled him to sit, weak and help- less, and be ministered to by others, far away from the beloved spot. He was a man of quick perceptions, correct in his conclusions, brisk and energetic, and one of the leading business men of that section. He was one of the first to see that keeping cows and making butter would be more profitable and less laborious than cultivating the rugged land, as the grass and water are so finely adapted to the purpose, and accordingly be- gan to pack his butter in firkins and send it to New York, via sloops from Catskill, forty miles away on the Hudson River. This new departure proving, as he had forseen it would, lucrative and pleasant, it was taken up by many and continued to increase until the butter product of Delaware County became a source of revenue above every other. He having been the pioneer in this business, associated with him his uncle Edward L. More, and they began making sales for their neighbors, and finally to purchase largely on their own account. This was much to his liking for he was a natural tradesman, and they soon succeeded in building up a large business, taking the greater part of the county for their circuit, and some years handling thousands of packages, worth seventy- five thousand dollars and upwards. Afterwards, when his uncle moved 107 to Cortland, New York, he formed a partnership with Mr. A. Van Dyke, who was his next neighbor and was a firm and constant friend, with whom he took great comfort as long as he lived. They bought for some of the best houses in New York City, and for years carried on a thriving business. This of course gave him an extensive acquaintance throughout the county. He was always known as strictly honest and upright in his dealings with others, and enjoyed the confidence of all. Was chosen by his friends to hold the office of Supervisor of the town in 1861, and presided at meet- ings held to fill the quota of troops from the town of Roxbury, during the great Rebellion. He was strong in his convictions and had the courage to express them, was kind and liberal to all, and always had the welfare of his family at heart, being desirous above everything to leave his children comfortable when he was gone. But the day of his life was not all unclouded, for ere the zenith was reached, the pale shadow of disease threw itself across his horizon, and cast its sombre shade about the beloved wife, the wise, loving and judicious mother. She was stricken down in the midst of her family, and while everything possible was done for her restoration, it was all with- out success, until finally it was thought best to send her to a Sanitarium where she could have the benefit of expert medical treatment with better facilities for the same, and thither she was carried. The treatment was greatly beneficial but did not entirely restore her, and after several months she returned home, able to be about and superintend her domestic affairs, but incapacitated for future labor. She, however, reared her family and managed to keep the machinery of house and dairy moving without a jar. She was a faithful and regular church attendant, and brought up her family to the same conscientious observance of the duty and privilege, and although they lived four miles from their place of worship, as regularly as the Sabbath dawned their horses were harnessed to the large wagon or sleigh, and the family packed in and carried to the services of the sanctuary. For some time the mother was borne by loving hands and placed in her seat, but gradually regained strength to walk, and was happy to be able to help herself. She died from typhoid fever, April 9th, 18(32. They were blessed with six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom were helpful and industrious, and did all they could while under the parental roof to relieve their mother from care and lighten the burdens of the father. Although his education had not been the best, he was anxious that his children should receive all they needed to make them useful men and women, and as they grew to suitable years, sent them one after another to boarding school to receive the finish he was delighted that they should have. The daughters were early sought in 108 marriage, and have all filled useful and honorable stations in life. All grew up on the old farm that their grandfather cleared, and always look back with loving remembrances to the dear old place. Mr. More finally sold the farm to his son David F. More, and in May, 1864, married Mrs. Sarah Van Loan Peck, who was then residing in Roxbury, and purchased a fine house and lot in the village, where he lived in great comfort until her death in 1868, when he sold oat and went to Rondout, New York, to live with his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wm. C. More. Here his two sons with their families also boarded, and thus sur- rounded by children and grand-children he spent the closing years of his life, living over again in thought and memory the years of active life, never losing his interest in all that was going on about him, grateful for every little attention, keeping his tender sympathy for all in trouble of any kind, and his heart warm and young, even when bodily infirmities con- fined him to the house and compelled him to be ministered to by others. He suffered from successive strokes of partial paralysis at shorter and shorter intervals, until he passed away just as he had completed seventy- three years of life. He was borne by friends and loved ones back to his native town, and to the church where his life-long fealty and worship had been rendered, and laid to rest by the side of the loved companion of his early years and the mother of his children, in the sure hope of a blessed resuirection. "The grave itself is but a covered bridge. Leading from light to light, through a brief darkness." EDWARD A. MORE (26), son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born in Roxbury, New York, April 7th, 1801. He married Harriet, only daughter of Major-General Otis Preston, on December 27th, 1821, and commenced and continued life as a farmer. Was interested for a short time in a store with his brother-in-law, Ezekiel Preston, at Roxbury village, Mr. Preston carrying on the business. Dur- ing the fall and winter months for several years, he purchased butter of farmers and sold it in New York markets, but at this business he was not always successful. In 1845, he sold his farm in Roxbury and purchased one in Marathon, Cortland County, but a long and severe sickness prostrated himself and wife, so that they were unable to take possession according to agreement and the contract was annulled. A large portion of the village of Marathon now covers this tract. EDWARD A. MORE. 26. EZEKIEL PRESTON MORE. 1 56. OTIS PRESTON MORE. I58. OKRIN I'KCK. 531. 109 He removed to Roxbury village where lie remained one year, and then moved to Prattsville and conducted the farm of his father, who at that time was aged and infirm. Here he remained imtil his father's death in 1849, when he returned to Roxbury and purchased a part of the farm of his uncle James More, where he resided until his death. He lost his health and went to Saratoga Springs, where he could have the benefit of the water and medical treatment, but died while there. May 27th, 1858. His wife survived him ten years and died of typhoid fever, while on a visit to her son Ezekiel at Prattsville, April 28th, ] 868 . They had three sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom, Maria Lara way, married Mr. Harrison Underwood, of Stamford, and is now a widow, residing in that village. The second one, Dolly, married Mr. Geo. Wheeler, of Lexington, Greene County, where they resided until his death in 1871, when she removed to the village of Roxbury, where she died April 17th, 1893. WILLIAM MORE (27), son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born in Roxbury, New York, September 4th, 1801. Died in Avon Springs, New York, September 23d, 1848. He made the most of his opportunities for education at the district schools, and at the age of seventeen began teaching in one of these schools, which occupation he continued for two winters ; when his ambition de- siring a broader field of action, he resolved to leave the family settlement and go out into the wide world to seek his fortune. Being the first to break the circle of relatives, it was looked upon as a great undertaking, and religious services were held to pray for his safety and future welfare while wandering so far from the home-fold. He went to Leeds, New York, and entered the store of Deacon Whit- tlesey as clerk, where he remained for three or four years. At twenty- three he joined with a man named Wardwell in a general store, at Holly, New York, and was married soon after to Miss Catharine, daughter of James Hasbrouck, Esq., of one of the old, aristocratic families of Kingston, New York. As his business venture proved unsuccessful, he continued in it only a year, and then accepted a position as cashier in a bank at Geneva, New York, where he remained five years . From there he went to Waterloo, taking a like position in the bank at that place, where he remained about three years, and then to Conneaut, Ohio, as cashier of the bank in that 110 city. Just prior to the panic of 1837 he received what he considered a flattering offer to enter a banking concern at Cincinnati, Ohio, presumed to be the " Ohio Life and Trust Company," or some kindred organization. He and his family took the primitive mode of conveyance by canal and stage to Pittsburgh ; thence by steamboat on the Ohio river to Cincinnati. On his arrival there the business outlook did not meet his expectati(ms, and he returned northward to Buffalo, again taking a position as cashier in a bank of that city. This was about 1838. At that time lotteries were not regarded with the disfavor they are now, and a party interested in a scheme of this sort desired a loan from the bank. This was refused by Mr. More as cashier, but the man being very persistent, he finally con- sented to make a personal loan on a package of tickets with the understand- ing that if the amount was not returned before the drawing, the tickets should be the loaner' s property. The borrower was never heard from again. The tickets are reported to have drawn ten thousand dollars, — in those days a large amount. With this sum Mr. More removed to Albany and established a banking and brokerage business for himself, employing his cousin David L. More, now residing in Jersey City, as clerk a part of the time. He is said to have prospered to a greater degree at that time than at any other. He entered into a business correspondence with Drew, Robinson & Co , of New York City, of which firm the late Daniel Drew was senior partner. One department of this business consisted in purchasing uncurrent money, which was forwarded to Drew, Robinson & Co., for redemption. Among this uncurrent money was what was generally known as "Red Dog" money, the history of which some of the older ones who read these lines may possibly remember. Drew, Robinson & Co., authorized Mr. More to purchase this money on their account, which he did to a large amount with his own funds ; but when he offered to deliver, they refused to receive it. This brought Mr. More to New York City to contest his claim legally against the firm' in which he was successful only for one-third of the amount, which after paying expenses of litigation left him with a very small portion of his original capital. With this and one thousand dollars loaned him by his father, Robert More, he entered into partnership with Lent & Bowman, under the firm name of Lent & Co., in a wholesale foreign fruit business in New York City. This, however, did not prove a success, partly on account of Mr. More's failing health, and was discontinued. He then took a position as book-keeper with Thorn, Watson, Corse & Co , leather merchants, with whom he continued until the time of his death, as above stated. His widow survived him for more than a generation, dying in Kingston at the advanced age of eighty years. Ill They had four children, the elder two of whom, James Hasbrouck and Henry Dwight, have since died leaving families; and the younger two, Mrs. Susan F. Williams, of Kingston, New York, and Wm. L. More, of Philadelphia, chairman of the finance committee of the More Family Association, still live. In his family Mr. More was kind, loving and indulgent, never sparing anything that in his estimation would contribute to its comfort or happi- ness, and so his death was to it an incalculable loss, made all the more touching by the fact that the youngest child was only live years old. He was brought to New York and buried in Greenwood Cemetery. HENRY FELLOWS MORE (28), always known as Harry, son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born in Roxbury, New York, May 26th, 1807. At the age of twenty-one years he married Miss Elizabeth (Betsey), daughter of Cornelius Keator, of Roxbury, New York, and settled on a farm in the town in which they were both born. Here they continued until about the year 1839, when he sold his interest in Delaware County, and moved to Chautauqua County, in the western part of the State, where he purchased a farm on which they resided for about twenty-nine years. He then sold their place with the idea of retiring from an active busi- ness life, and settled in a small village called Pindley's Lake a few miles away, where they lived until the death of his wife in 1869, when he parted with his village home and has since lived with his children, the greater part of the time with his son, Jacob C. More, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. When they left Delaware County and moved to Chautauqua, it was considered — not exactly that they were going out of the world, but that they were surely going very far west. It was before the days of railroads to any extent. They sent their household goods first by river to Albany, thence by Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there by lake to within twenty miles of their destination. The family made their journey with horses and wagon, the wagon being covered with white cotton cloth in the old regulation style. It took thirteen days to make the journey which now could be accomplished in nearly that number of hours. They had four children born to them while they lived in Delaware County, all of whom grew up, married well, raised families, and followed their father's occupation of farming, with the exception of Jacob C. who preferred trade, and whose biography is given elsewhere. 112 Religiously they may be well termed a family of Methodists, nearly every one being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The male members, with one or two exceptions, have all held official relations in the different churches with which they were connected. Politically they are somewhat divided between the two leading parties, but in every case intensely loyal to the government. Mr. More is still living (in 1893), at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, and in the homes of his sons finds rest from an active life, with every worldly comfort, while awaiting the summons to "come up higher." His eldest daughter, Louisa Adaline, married Mr. Alexander Skellie, and resides in North-East, Erie County, Pennsylvania. . His eldest son, James, married Miss Jane Skellie, and resides in Findley's Lake, Chautauqua County, New "Vork. His youngest daughter, Ann Eliza, married Mr. James Skellie, and resided in Findley's Lake, Chautauqua County, until her death in 1886. JAMES MORE (29), of Wattsburg, Erie County, Pennsylvania, youngest son of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born in Roxbury, New York, March 23d, 1811 . With his parents he removed to the town of Prattsville in the winter of 1831 and 1832, and while living there in July, 1837, he married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Wyllys Loomis, Esq., of Windham, Greene County, New York. His educational advantages had been those of the district school, supplemented by a few terms at the Academy at Jefferson, Schoharie County, New York, and by applying himself closely and improving the opportunities he had, he obtained a good practical education, and taught school several terms. After his marriage he lived on his father's estate for two years, and then purchased a farm of one hundred acres in the town of Windham, on which they remained until 1847, when he sold his interests there and bought again in Wattsburg, Erie County, Pennsylvania, which was his home at the time of his death. May 26th, 1887. During this time, while living in Wattsburg, he was induced to go South. The promise of Virginia as a place of abode seemed so flattering, he rented his farm in Erie County, took his family and moved to Scotts- 113 ville, Albermarle County, Virginia, where he lived four years. They found the climate delightful and the society pleasant, though not such as they had been accustomed to, but he saw that the condition of his property in the North would require his personal supervision, so they returned to their Pennsylvania home . They had nine children, eight of whom lived to grow up. Mr. More was a man of courteous and genial manners, kind and gen- erous disposition. His honesty and integrity were such that his " word was as good as his bond," and he was universally beloved and respected. Though not a professing Christian, his life was such as to prove him one in practice and belief. LOIS ANN MORE (30), youngest child and only daughter of Robert More and Susanna Fellows, was born December 5th, 1814, in Roxbury, New York, and died September 21st, 1887, in Middletown, Orange County, New York. At the age of twenty-two, she married Linus Briggs Babcock, of Ash- land, Greene County, New York, and settled in Prattsville, where their eldest two children were born. About 1840 they removed to Moresville, where he engaged in mercantile business, and also conducted a farm. They remained here till about 1852 or 1853, when he sold his interests in Mores- ville and purchased a large tannery in Beaverkill, Sullivan County, to which place they removed, and where he succeeded finely for about ten years. He then sold his property in Beaverkill and built an elegant residence in Middletown, Orange County, hoping to pass the remainder of their days in ease and comfort, and to give their children, of whom they were very fond, the advantages of society and education. They had alreadj' lost two little ones at the ages of two and five, respectively, which had been heavy blows to their loving hearts; and scarcely had they entered their new home where they anticipated so much happiness, when their daughter Susan, a lovely girl of nineteen years, was attacked while away at school with gastric trouble, and though they brought her home and did all that love and money could command for her restoration, she died, leaving them nearly heart-broken . Soon after, the eldest daughter Augusta, who was a fine, beautiful girl, on whom the mother leaned for comfort and counsel, married and, in deference to her parents wishes, remained at home. When her first child 14 114 was born, the event was hailed with delight by the household as the antic- ipated source of great happiness for all; but when he was two days old, suddenly, and without a moment's warning, the young mother passed away, leaving the stricken ones wild with grief, and utterly incapable of comfort. Naturally they clung to the child, regarding it as a precious trust, and did all that was possible for its life, but in three weeks it sick- ened and died, and they laid it, with many tears, by the side of its mother. Then the first born of the family, William, the father's pride, tall, erect, intelligent and diligent in business, married, and brought (jomfort to all their hearts in the presence of his attractive wife. But ere long it became evident that some insidious disease had laid its unrelenting hand on him, and although no skill was considered too difficult to obtain, no expense too great to be borne for his help, all was of no avail, and he died of Bright' s disease, in New York City, where he had been carried for medical treatment, in February, 1874. His wife survived him two years, leaving a little daughter, with a large property in trust . Four years afterwards, in 1878, Robert More the younger son, married a most delightful young lady, and brought her to the home-nest. The father, writing to a friend soon after, said, " the advent of Rob's wife has brought light and sunshine once more into our darkened and desolated home." But the sunshine was destined to be of short duration, for only a few months passed when she was called to lay down her life's burdens and enjoyments as well, and go to her eternal home. Then the father, whose health had long been undermined by indiges- tion, and on whose naturally strong constitution heavy inroads had been made by repeated bereavements, began to fail. Everything was done for him that could be, but the desired result could not be accomplished, and he died in less than a year after the daughter-in-law, at Asbury Park New Jersey, whither he had gone for his health. In all her sorrows and bereavements, Mrs. Babcock never lost her trust in God, but sought to honor Him in her whole life. She was a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and always in the midst of her sorrowful experiences maintained the same sweet, gentle manner toward all. She survived her husband seven years, leaving at death one son Robert, who died three years afterwards, and a daughter Julia, who married a Mr. Russell, and is at present living in New York City. ALEXANDER M